Vinyl pressings
by The Kinks · 1971
Lola 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.
7 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
H M A 2 0 1 A - 1 △ W 1 EQRunout A, variant 1
H M A 2 0 1 B - 1 △ W 1 ELRunout B, variant 1
H M A 2 0 1 A - 1 △ W BYRunout A, variant 2
H M A 2 0 1 B - 1 △ W BWRunout B, variant 2
HMA201 A - 1△WRunout area side A
HMA201 B - 1△WRunout area side B
HMA201 A - 1△W BSRunout area side A, variant 2, etched BS
HMA201 B - 1△W BNRunout area side B, variant 2, etched BN
HMA 201 A3Runout side A, variant 1
HMA201B-1△W BRunout side B, variant 1
HMA201A-1△WRunout side A, variant 2
HMA201B-1△W 5Runout side B, variant 2
H M A 2 0 1 A - 1 △ W 2Side 1 stamped
H M A 2 0 1 B - 1 △ W 2Side 2 stamped
H M A 2 0 1 A - 1 △W 5Side A runout, stamped
H M A 2 0 1 B - 1 △W 5Side B runout, stamped
HMA201A - 1△WSide A, stamped
HMA201B - 1△W [5]Side B, stamped, [] 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 | Australia | Hallmark Marble Arch MFP5927 / Astor MFP5927First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Marble Arch HMA 201First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Marble Arch HMA 201First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Marble Arch HMA 201First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Marble Arch HMA 201First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Marble Arch HMA 201First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Marble Arch HMA 201First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Australia | Astor GGS 1371 / Hallmark Marble Arch GGS 1371LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Australia | Marble Arch MFP-5927 / Marble Arch MFP5927LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Hallmark Marble Arch HMA 201LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Astor GGS 1371 / Marble Arch GGS1371LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Lola are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1971 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Australia. One of them is Hallmark Marble Arch HMA 201.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HMA 201, MFP5927) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, H M A 2 0 1 A - 1 △ W 1 EQ and H M A 2 0 1 B - 1 △ W 1 EL. 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.
