Vinyl pressings
by The Four Seasons · 1969
The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 4 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.
PHS-600-290-A-2 rl mrA side runout - etched, variant 1
PHS-600-290-B-1 rl mrB side runout - etched, variant 1
PHS-600-290-A-1 rl mrA side runout - etched, variant 2
PHS-600-290-B-1 rl mrB side runout - etched, variant 2
o PHS600290A-M1 P 3Runout Side A, Stamped
o PHS600290B-M1 [1 T 3D]Runout Side B, Stamped/[Etched]
PHS-600-290-A-5 RL MRA Side runout, variant 1
PHS-600-290-B5 RL MRB Side runout, variant 1
PHS-600-290-A-3-11-1 RL MRA Side runout, variant 2
PHS-600-290-B-4 1-11 RL MRB Side runout, variant 2
PHS 600 290A .S IVSide A runout, stamped
PHS 600 290B .S IVSide B runout, stamped
PHS-600-290AA Side label
PHS-600-290BB Side label
o PHS600290A-M1 S 1 T X 3D4Side A Runout
o PHS600290B-M1 S T X B2 3DSide B Runout
PHS-600-290-A-2 rl mrA Side Runout - Etched
PHS-600-290-B-1 rl mrB Side Runout - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Philips PDS 318First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | Philips PHS 600-290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-290First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-290 / Philips PHS-600-290First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-290First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Philips PHS 600-290First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Philips SBL7880First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Taiwan | First Record FL -1747LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Brazil | Philips SLP - 199.049LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | US | Rhino Records R1 70249LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Rhino Records R1 70249 / Rhino Records 603497827695LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
13 vinyl pressings of The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1969 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is Philips PHS 600-290, released January 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PHS 600-290, SBL7880, PDS 318) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHS-600-290-A-2 rl mr and PHS-600-290-B-1 rl mr. 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.
