Vinyl pressings
by The Four Seasons · 1966
Lookin' Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1966, 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.
PHS600222A-M1Runout Side A - stamped, Variant 1
PHS600222B-M1Runout Side B - stamped, Variant 1
o PHS600222A-M1 T D 1Runout Side A - stamped/etched 1, Variant 2
o PHS600222B-M1 T C 11Runout Side B - stamped/etched 11, Variant 2
PHS-600-222A1 Bell Sound MRRunout Side A - stamped, Variant 1
PHS-600-222B1 MRRunout Side B - stamped, Variant 1
PHS 600 222A 2S 1 A2Runout Side A
PHS 600 222B 1S 1 A1Runout Side B
PHS -600 -222 A1 MR (small font)Side A (stamped):
Bell Sound (script text - this side only)Side A (stamped):
PHS -600 -222 B1 MR (small font)Side B (stamped):
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Canada | Philips PHS-600-222First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Philips BL 7752 / Philips 652 094 BLFirst yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Philips PHS 600-222First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Philips PHM-200-222First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Philips PHS-600-222First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1966 | US | Philips PHS 600-222First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Philips PHS-600-222First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Haishan Records HS 574LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Philips SBL 7752 / Philips 852 094 BYLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Philips PHS 600-222LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Lookin' Back are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Philips PHS 600-222.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PHS 600-222, PHM-200-222, PHS-600-222, BL 7752) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHS600222A-M1 and PHS600222B-M1. 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.
