Vinyl pressings
by Seatrain · 1971
The Marblehead Messenger 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.
SMAS-1-829-Z-5 -97•Runout Side A, Etched
1 ✲ STERLINGRunout Side A, Stamped
SMAS-2-829-Z-5 -97• RLRunout Side B, Etched
2 ✲ STERLINGRunout Side B, Stamped
SMAS-9-829-Z-7 #1-96•Side A Runout [Hand-Etched]
IAM in triangle STERLING 0Side A Runout [Stamped]
SMAS-2-829-Z-8 #2 96Side B Runout [Hand-Etched]
STERLING 0Side B Runout [Stamped]
SMAS-1-829-Z-1-99 ━◁ RL STERLINGRunout side A etched [STERLING Stamped], variant 1
SMAS-2-829-Z-1-99 #2 ━◁ RL STERLINGRunout side B etched [STERLING Stamped], variant 1
SMAS - 1 - 829 - Z - 1 - 99 ━◁ STERLING RLRunout side A etched [STERLING Stamped], variant 2
SMAS - 2 - 829 - Z - 1 - 99 ━◁ STERLING RLRunout side B etched [STERLING Stamped], variant 2
SMAS-1-829-Z-7 #1-96Side A Runout [Hand-Etched]
STERLING 0Side A Runout [Stamped]
SMAS-2-829-Z-7 #1 96Side B Runout [Hand-Etched]
STERLING RL 0Side B Runout [Stamped]
SMAS-1-829-Z-6 -97- 2 ✲ STERLING RLRunout A, etched except 2 ✲ STERLING stamped
SMAS-2-829-Z-5 -97• 2 ✲ STERLING RLRunout B, etched except 2 ✲ STERLING stamped
(SMAS 1-829)Label A
(SMAS 2-829)Label B
SMAS-1-829-Z-7 #1-96Side A Runout [Hand-Etched]
STERLING 0Side A Runout [Stamped]
SMAS-2-829-Z-7 #1 96Side B Runout [Hand-Etched]
STERLING RL 0Side B Runout [Stamped]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Capitol Records SN-16103LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of The Marblehead Messenger are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1971 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Italy, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records SMAS-829.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SMAS-829, EA-ST 829, 3C 062-80950, 2C064-80950) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMAS-1-829-Z-5 -97• and 1 ✲ STERLING. 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.
