Vinyl pressings
by Strawbs · 1974
Ghosts was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 3 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 68277 A2Side A Runout Variant 1
AMLH 68277 B2Side B Runout Variant 1
AMLH 68277 A2 CSide A Runout Variant 2
AMLH 68277 B2 10Side B Runout Variant 2
S 88564 A-1 Made In GermanySide A runout stamped
S 88564 B-1 Made In GermanySide B runout stamped
S 88 564 ASide A label
S 88 564 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Germany | A&M Records 88 564 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | A&M Records L35428First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68277First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Brazil | A&M Records SA&M-2138 / A&M Records SP-4505LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 68277LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | A&M Records AML-232 / A&M Records AMLH-68277LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLH 68277LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4506LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
23 vinyl pressings of Ghosts are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, Germany, New Zealand. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 68277, released October 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 68277, 88 564 XOT, L35428) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLH 68277 A2 and AMLH 68277 B2. 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.
