Vinyl pressings
by Sandy Denny · 1971
The North Star Grassman And The Ravens was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 8 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.
ILPS 9165 A-1U G 1 STERLING LHA-Side runout, variant 1
ILPS 9165 B-1U G 1 STERLING LHB-Side runout, variant 1
ILPS 9165 A-1U GG 1 STERLING LHA-Side runout, variant 2
ILPS 9165 B-1U O 1 STERLING LHB-Side runout, variant 2
SP 4533 PI STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
SP-4534-PI STERLING GF ◌ΛSide B runout, variant 1
SP 4533 P1 1 C STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
SP-4534-P1 STERLING G.F. A 3Side b runout, variant 2
SP 4533-M2 ∆16206 (4) GFA Runout Etching
SP-4534-M1 ∆16206-X GF (2)B Runout Etching
(MR) STERLINGA + B Runout Stamped
SP-4533 T1 STERLING T2Side A runout
SP-4534-T1 STERLING T2Side B runout
SP-4317 (SP-4533)Side A label
SP-4317 (SP-4534)Side B label
P SP 4533 P1 STERLINGSide A runout, etched and stamped
SP-4534-P1 STERLING GFSide B runout, etched and stamped
T2 SP 4533 T1 STERLINGSide A runout, etched exc. "STERLING"
T2 SP-4534-T1 STERLINGSide B runout, etched exc. "STERLING"
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Island Records SIL-934337 / Island Records SIL-934,337First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4317First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Denmark | Island Records ILPS 9165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Island Records 85 675 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Island Records SIL-934337 / Island Records ILPS 9165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Island Records SIL-934337 / Island Records ILPS 9165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Island Records 85.675 - LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4317 / A&M Records SP 4137First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4317First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4317First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP 4317First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4317First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4317First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | UK | Island Records ILPM 9165LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Carthage Records CGLP 4429LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Island Records 378 724-6LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | Island Records UMCLP006 / UMC UMCLP006LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Benelux | Island Records 89 225 XATLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Benelux | Island Records 89 225 XATLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 4317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 4317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9165LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 4317LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4317LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4317 / A&M Studios SP 4317LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
38 vinyl pressings of The North Star Grassman And The Ravens are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1971 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9165, released September 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9165, SP-4317, SP 4317, SIL-934337) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9165 A-1U G 1 STERLING LH and ILPS 9165 B-1U G 1 STERLING LH. 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.
