Vinyl pressings
by Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 · 1968
The Fool On The Hill / So Many Stars 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.
20 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 12 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.
1521Label side A
1522Label side B
p (stamped/inverted) ° (stamped) A&M 1521-1(scribed)A side deadwax
p (stamped/inverted) ° (stamped) A&M 1522-1(scribed)B side deadwax
A+M 1521 - 8 TIIRunout, side A, etched
A+M 1522 - 9 TIIRunout, side B, etched
1521Label Side A
1522Label Side B
A&M-1521 MR △72247Runout A
A&M-1522 MR △72247-XRunout B
1521Label A
1522Label B
A&M-1521-S-15 (MR) Δ52557Runout Matrix Side A
A&M-1522-S-15 (MR) Δ72557-XRunout Matrix Side B
(S-1521)Label Matrix Side A
(S-1522)Label Matrix Side B
1521Label Side A
1522Label 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 | A&M Records AMK-2472First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Austria | A&M Records 210 035First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Brazil | A&M Records 7AM-5004First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | A&M Records A & M 961XFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | France | A&M Records 210 035First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | A&M Records 210 035First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | A&M Records 210 035First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Italy | A&M Records AM 826First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Japan | A&M Records TOP-1306First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK-2472First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Portugal | Alvorada N-35-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | UK | A&M Records AMS 731First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1968 | UK | A&M Records AMS 731First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1968 | UK | A&M Records AMS 731First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | A&M Records A&M 961 / A&M Records 961First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | A&M Records 210 035 / A&M Records 2100357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of The Fool On The Hill / So Many Stars are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is A&M Records 961, released July 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 961, A&M 961, 961-S, AMS 731) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1521 and 1522. 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.
