Vinyl pressings
by Sam Cooke · 1965
The Best Of Sam Cooke Volume 2 was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1965, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
S3LA - 5682 - 1S IStamped runout A
S3LA - 5683 - 1S IStamped runout B
S3LA - 5684 - 1S IStamped runout C
S3LA - 5685 - 1S IStamped runout D
S 3RM-3215--2S Astamped in runout side A
S 3RM-3216--2Sstamped in runout side B
S 3RM-3235--3SA-Side
S 3RM-3236--3SB-Side
S3RS-3237--1S I ∧ IRunout side A - Variant 1
S3RS-3238--1S IRunout side B - Variant 1
S3RS-3237--1S I A4Runout side A - Variant 2
S3RS-3238--1S I B2Runout side B - Variant 2
S3RS-3237--2S RA side runout
S3RS-3238--4S RB side runout
S3RS-3237A side label
S3RS-3238B side label
S3RS-3237--6S ISide A
s3rs-3238--5sSide B
S3RS-3237--5S A1 RSide 1, variant 2
S3RS-3238--4S 42 RSide 2, variant 2
S 3RM-3215--6Sstamped in runout side A
S 3RM-3216--5Sstamped in runout side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Canada | RCA Victor LPM-3373First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1965 | New Zealand | RCA Victor LPM-3373First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1965 | US | RCA Victor LPM-3373First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1965 | US | RCA Victor LSP-3373 / RCA Victor LSP 3373First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | RCA Victor LSP 3373First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | RCA Victor LSP 3373First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | RCA Victor LSP-3373First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | RCA Victor LSP-3373First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | RCA Victor TLP-3373First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1968 | France | RCA Victor 740.555 / RCA Victor LSP 3373LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | RCA Victor LSP-3373LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Sam Cooke Volume 2 are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1965 and 1968.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is RCA Victor TLP-3373, released October 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TLP-3373, LPM-3373, LSP-3373, LSP 3373) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S3LA - 5682 - 1S I and S3LA - 5683 - 1S I. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
