Vinyl pressings
by The Beatles · 1964
The Beatles' Story was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1964, 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.
ST1-2222-X2 IAMSide 1 variant 1 (stamped)
ST2-2222-A1 IAMSide 2 variant 1 (stamped)
ST3-2222-A1 IAMSide 3 variant 1 (stamped)
ST4-2222-W1 #2 IAMSide 4 variant 1 (stamped)
T1-2222-P11Side A variant 1 etching
T2-2222-T12Side B variant 1 etching
T3-2222-P11Side C variant 1 etching
T4-2222-P11Side D variant 1 etching
TBO-1-2222-F-3' 3 ✲Etched, Runout Side A
TBO-2-2222-F-3' 3 ✲Etched, Runout Side B
TBO-3-2222-F-3' ✲Etched, Runout Side C
TBO-4-2222-F-5' 4 ✲Etched, Runout Side D
TBO-1-2222-F-3' 3 w̲Runout side A, etched
TBO-2-2222-F-3' 3 w̲Runout side B, etched
TBO-3-2222-F-3' w̲Runout side C, etched
TBO-4-2222-F-5' w̲Runout side D, etched
TBO-1-2222-F-3' ✲Etched, Runout Side A
TBO-2-2222-F-3' 3 ✲Etched, Runout Side B
TBO-3-2222-F-3' ✲Etched, Runout Side C
TBO-4-2222-F-5' ✲Etched, Runout Side D
T1-2222-T2 [IAM in triangle]Runout Side 1
T4-2222-F1 [IAM in triangle]Runout Side 4
T2-2222-T2#2 [IAM in triangle]Runout Side 2
T3-2222-T2 [IAM in triangle]Runout Side 3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | Capitol Records TBO 2222First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Philippines | Capitol Records TBO-2222 / Capitol Records TBO 2222First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records TBO-2222First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Canada | Capitol Records TBO-2222First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records STBO-2222 / Capitol Records STBO 2222First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records TBO-2222 / Capitol Records TBO 2222First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records TBO-2222 / Capitol Records TBO 2222First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records TBO-2222 / Capitol Records TBO 2222First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records TBO-2222 / Capitol Records TBO 2222First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records TBO-2222 / Capitol Records TBO 2222First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records TBO-2222 / Capitol Records TBO 2222First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records TBO-2222 / Capitol Records TBO 2222First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Chile | Odeon A-2002 (LDC 36914/5)LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | Capitol Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | Canada | Capitol Records STBO-2222 / Capitol Records STBO 2222LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Capitol Records STBO-2222LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Apple Records AP-8676/77LP, Album, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Album, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1971 | Japan | Apple Records AP-8676~77LP, Compilation, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Box Set |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records STBO 2222 / Apple Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records STBO 2222 / Apple Records STBO 2222LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records STBO 2222 / Apple Records STBO 2222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records STBO 2222 / Capitol Records STBO 2222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records STBO 2222 / Apple Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1974 | Canada | Capitol Records STBO 2222LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | Apple Records AP-8676/77LP, Album, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Album, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records STBO 2222 / Apple Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records STBO 2222 / Apple Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records STBO 2222 / Apple Records STBO 2222LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Odeon 31C 164 86408/9LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Capitol Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Venezuela | EMI EMI'S-7573LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Venezuela | EMI 201.04064/65LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Capitol Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Capitol Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records STBO-2222LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records STBO-2222 / Capitol Records STBO 2222LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | EMI SLEMB-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
63 vinyl pressings of The Beatles' Story are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1964 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, Canada, Philippines. One of them is Capitol Records STBO-2222, released November 23, 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STBO-2222, TBO-2222, TBO 2222) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST1-2222-X2 IAM and ST2-2222-A1 IAM. 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.
