Vinyl pressings
by Sandy Posey · 1968
Looking At You was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SE-4525 XSBV-129478-1B MGS-1340Side A runout etched [Variant 1]
SE-4525 XSBV-129479-1B MGS-1341Side B runout etched [Variant 1]
SE-4525 XSBV-129478-1A MGS-1340Side A runout etched [Variant 2]
SE-4525 XSBV-129479-1A MGS-1341Side B runout etched [Variant 2]
SE-4525 XSBV-129478-1A MGS-1340 32 [MGM symbol]Runout side A
SE-4525 XSBV-129479-1A MGS-1341 11 [MGM symbol]Runout side B
SE-4525 XSBV-129478-1B MGS-1340Runout side A
SE-4525 XSBV-129479-1B MGS-1341 11 [MGM symbol]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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | MGM Records SE-4525First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | MGM Records 665 093First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | UK | MGM Records MGM C 8073First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | MGM Records MGM CS 8073First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | MGM Records SE-4525 / MGM Records E/SE-4525First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | MGM Records E 4525First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | MGM Records SE 4525First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | MGM Records SE-4525 / MGM Records SE4525First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | MGM Records SE 4525 / MGM Records SE-4525First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | MGM Records E-4525 / MGM Records E4525First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of Looking At You are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is MGM Records SE 4525, released March 23, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SE 4525, SE-4525, E-4525, MGM C 8073) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SE-4525 XSBV-129478-1B MGS-1340 and SE-4525 XSBV-129479-1B MGS-1341. 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.
