Vinyl pressings
by The Grateful Dead · 1970
Vintage Dead was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 2 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.
SUN 5001 MGS 2418 2 Sept. '70 E.O. 11 [Block S logo]Side A runout, variant 1
SUN 5001 MGS 2419 2 Sept. '70 E.O. [Block S logo]Side B runout, variant 1
SUN 5001 MGS 2418 2 Sept. '70 E.O. 13 [Block S logo]Side A runout, variant 2
SUN 5001 MGS 2419 2 Sept. '70 E.O. 21 [Block S logo]Side B runout, variant 2
SUN 5001 MGS 2418-1 2 Sept. `70 EOSide A etched
SUN 5001 MGS 2419-1 2 Sept. `70 EOSide B etched
MGS 2418Side A label
MGS 2419Side B label
K SUN 5001 MGS 2418-1 2 Sept. `70 EO 12Runout side A
K SUN 5001 MGS 2419-1 2 Sept. `70 EO 21 [logo]Runout side B
MGS 2418Label side A
MGS 2419Label side B
SUN 5001 MGS 2418-1 2 sept '70Side A
SUN 5001 MGS 2419-1 2 sept '70Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Taiwan | 中聲 CSJ-1020LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2310 172 / Polydor 2310172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Sunflower SUN-5001 / Sunflower SUN 5001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Sunflower SUN 5001 / Sunflower SUN-5001First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Sunflower SUN-5001 / Sunflower SUN 5001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Sunflower SUN 5001First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Sunflower SUN-5001 / Sunflower SUN 5001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | Polydor 2310 172LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Sunflower SNF-5001 / Sunflower SNF 5001LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Mexico | Polydor 2302 021LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Polydor 2310 172LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Vintage Dead are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1970 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK. One of them is Sunflower SUN-5001.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SUN-5001, SUN 5001, 2310 172) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SUN 5001 MGS 2418 2 Sept. '70 E.O. 11 [Block S logo] and SUN 5001 MGS 2419 2 Sept. '70 E.O. [Block S logo]. 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.
