Vinyl pressings
by Santana · 1972
Caravanserai was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 23 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.
PAL 31610-2ESide A runout, variant 1
o PBL 31610-2A · \ SXSide B runout, variant 1
o PAL 31610-2C 2 SXSide A runout, variant 3
o PBL 31610-2A 1 SXSide B runout, variant 3
PAL 31610-2C D-1A Side Variant 2
PBL 31610-2D 1TB Side Variant 2
PAL 31610-2J T CA Side Variant 3
PBL 31610-2J PRB Side Variant 3
º PAL 31610-2B 1Side A runout, variant 1
º PBL 31610-2B 1S A2Side B runout, variant 1
º PAL 31610-2G 1S A6Side A runout, variant 2
º PBL 31610-2G S F1Side B runout, variant 2
o PAL 31610-2B \ SXT E4Side A, etched exc. º - variant 1
o PBL 31610-2A \ SXT F10Side B, etched exc. º - variant 1
o PAL 31610-2B \ SXT E4Side A, etched exc. º - variant 2
o PBL 31610-2D 1T A15Side B, etched exc. º - variant 2
QAL-31610-1ARunout (stamped) side A
P Q BL 31610-1CRunout (stamped) side B
QAL-31610-1ARunout (stamped) side A
QBL-31610-1ARunout (stamped) Side B
S 65299 A2Variant 1: Stamped Side A
S 65299 B2Variant 1: Stamped Side B
S 65299 A1Variant 2: Stamped Side A
S 65299 B2Variant 2: Stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | CBS 19241First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | CBS SBP 234240 / CBS KC 31610First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Australia | CBS SBP 234240 / CBS SBP-234240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Brazil | CBS 137790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia KC 31610First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia KC 31610First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Colombia | CBS 14354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Costa Rica | CBS 100074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Europe | CBS S 65299 / CBS KC 31610First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Greece | CBS S 65299 / CBS CBS S65299First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Iran | Royal LRT 70First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Israel | CBS S 65299First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | CBS S 69022First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | CBS S 69022First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL 130 / CBS/Sony SOPL-130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Europe | CBS S 65299 / CBS KC 31610LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS 32060LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBS 32060 / CBS 32060Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
| 1982 | Spain | CBS CBS 32060LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Europe | CBS CBS 32060 / CBS 32060LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 2604LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | CBS S 65299 / CBS CBS 65299LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 32060 / CBS 32060LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | UK | CBS CBS 32060 / CBS 32060LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | UK, Europe & US | Speakers Corner Records KC 31610 / Columbia KC 31610LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2008 | UK, Europe & US | Speakers Corner Records KC 31610 / Columbia KC 31610LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1029 / Columbia MOVLP1029LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Columbia 19075817641LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | US | Columbia 19075817641LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-524 / Columbia MFSL 1-524LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Numbered | LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS SBP 234240 / CBS SBP-234240LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | CBS SBP 234240 / CBS SBP-234240LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Bolivia | CBS 50147 / CBS Columbia 50147LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Brazil | Harmony 148.099LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Columbia KC 31610LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Columbia KC 31610LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS S CBS 32060LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Europe | CBS S 65299Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS S 65299 / CBS KC 31610LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS S 65299LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | CBS S 65299LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32060 / CBS 32060LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS S 65299LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 32060Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | CBS S 65299 / CBS 65299LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
126 vinyl pressings of Caravanserai are listed here, from 33 countries, released between 1972 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Europe, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia KC 31610, released October 11, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 31610, CQ 31610, S 65299, CBS 65299) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 31610-2E and o PBL 31610-2A · \ SX. 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.
