Vinyl pressings
by Taj Mahal · 1971
The Real Thing 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.
8 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
P AL - 30620 - 1ARunout side A, stamped - Variant 1
P BL - 30620 - 1CRunout side B, stamped - Variant 1
P AL - 30621 - 1CRunout side C, stamped - Variant 1
P BL - 30621 - 1DRunout side D, stamped - Variant 1
PX o P AL-30620-1ASide A, Stamped, variant 1
P BL-30620-1C oSide B, Stamped, variant 1
o P AL-30621-1C 2 S 3Side C, Stamped except 2 S 3, variant 1
o P AL-30621-1D S - Ʌ9Side D, Stamped except S - Ʌ9, variant 1
o P AL - 30620 - 1A B X JRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
o P BL - 30620 - 1D \ TRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
P AL - 30621 - 1D \ TRunout side C, stamped, variant 1
o P BL - 30621 - 1B L XRunout side D, stamped, variant 1
PX o P AL-30620-1A B6Side A runout
PX o P BL-30620-1A II C2Side B runout
PX o P AL-30621-1A I C3Side C runout
PX o P BL-30621-1B B1Side D runout
S 66288 - 1Runout A, etched
S 66288 - 2Runout B, etched
S 66288 - 3Runout C, etched
S 66288 - 4Runout D, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Europe | CBS S 66288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPC 57140First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Spain | CBS S 66288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | CBS S 64385First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Columbia G 30619First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Columbia G 30619First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Columbia G 30619First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Columbia G 30619First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia G 30619LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia G 30619LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia G 30619 / Sony Music Special Products G 30619LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CG 30619 / Columbia G 30619LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CG 30619 / Columbia G 30619LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia CG 30619 / Columbia 30619LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia CG 30619LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia CG 30619 / Columbia G 30619LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Records 30619LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia CG 30619 / Columbia G 30619LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of The Real Thing are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Columbia G 30619.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 30619, S 64385, S 66288, SOPC 57140) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL - 30620 - 1A and P BL - 30620 - 1C. 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.
