Vinyl pressings
by Strawbs · 1973
Bursting At The Seams was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 14 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.
AMLH 68144 A▮2 ATSide A runout, etched variant 1
AMLH 68144 B▮2 AASide B runout, etched variant 1
AMLH 68144 A▮2 3 BASide A runout, etched variant 2
AMLH 68144 B▮2 1 BLSide B runout, etched variant 2
AMLH 68411 A4 1 WSide A runout etched, variant 1
AMLH 68411 B2 1 DESide B runout etched, variant 1
AMLH 68144 A ⃫B⃫ 2 - HSide A runout etched, variant 2
AMLH 68144 B ⃫A⃫ 2 - NSide B runout etched, variant 2
AMLH 68144 A2 ASide A runout etched variant 1
AMLH 68144 B2 ASide B runout etched variant 1
F AMLH 68144 - A1Side A runout variant 2
F AMLH 68144 - B1Side B runout variant 2
TI A&M SP 4665 TI ΛSide A etched [Λ stamped]
TI A&M SP 4666 TI B3Side B etched [B stamped]
A&M SP 4665 M1 MR ∆17790(2)Side A runout, variant 1
A&M SP 4666 M1 MR ∆17790-X(2)Side B runout, variant 1
A&M SP 4665 M1 MR ∆17790(3)Side A runout, variant 2, etched except encircled MR stamp
A&M SP 4666 M1 MR ∆17790-X(1)Side B runout, variant 2, etched except encircled MR stamp
P A&M SP-4665 P1Side A runout
P A&M SP-4666 P1Side B runout
SP-4665Side A label
SP-4666Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | A&M Records AML-34846First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4383First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4383First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4383First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | A&M Records 86 658 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Ireland | A&M Records AMLH 68144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 68144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | A&M Records AML 180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | A&M Records AML-180First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | A&M Records AML-34846First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Scandinavia | Sonet SLPS 1544First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 68144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | A&M Records HDAS 371-82 / Hispavox HDAS 371-82First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 394383-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | South Korea | A&M Records SEL RA-354 SP-4383LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4383LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4383LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP- 4383LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 4383LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 4383LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 86 658 ETLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 88 004 ET / A&M Records S 86 658LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | A&M Records AML 180LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68144LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4383LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4383LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
40 vinyl pressings of Bursting At The Seams are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1973 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 68144.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 68144, SP-4383, R 120028, SP-4383, SP 4383) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLH 68144 A▮2 AT and AMLH 68144 B▮2 AA. 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.
