Vinyl pressings
by Seatrain · 1969
Sea Train was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. 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 1969, 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.
T c SP4241 -1Runout etching side A
T c SP4242 -1Runout etching side B
c SP4241Runout etching side A (Variant 2)
A+M SP 4241 -P1Runout etching side B (Variant 2)
SP4241 △12960Runout Side A Hand-etched
SP4242 △12960-XRunout Side B Hand-etched
SP-4241Matrix Label Side A
SP-4242Matrix Label Side B
T o SP4241 -1A-side runout, etched; o stamped, Variant 1
T o SP4242 -1B-side runout, etched; o stamped, Variant 1
T o SP4241 -1 D7A-side runout, etched; o and D stamped, Variant 2
T o SP4242 -1 A1B-side runout, etched; o and A stamped, Variant 2
P o SP4241 B2Side A runout etched; P, o, B2 stamped; variant 1
P o SP-4242 A1B-side runout, etched; P, o, A1 stamped; variant 1
P o SP4241 A 3Side A runout etched; P, o, A 3 stamped; variant 2
P o SP-4242 A 4B-side runout, etched; P, o, A 4 stamped; variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4171 / A&M Records SP-4171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | A&M Records 212 061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | South Africa | A&M Records AMC 2080First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 941First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | A&M Records SP 4171 / A&M Records SP-4171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | A&M Records SP 4171First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | A&M Records SP 4171 / A&M Records SP-4171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | A&M Records SP 4171 / A&M Records SP-4171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | A&M Records SP 4171 / A&M Records SP-4171First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4171LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Venezuela | A&M Records LPS-77452LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | UK | Edsel Records ED 196LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4171LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | A&M Records SP 4171 / A&M Records SP-4171LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 4171 / A&M Records SP-4171LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 4171 / A&M Records SP-4171LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 4171 / A&M Records SP-4171LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
18 vinyl pressings of Sea Train are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1969 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 4171.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 4171, AMLS 941, 212 061, AMC 2080) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T c SP4241 -1 and T c SP4242 -1. 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.
