Vinyl pressings
by The Kinks · 1974
Preservation Act 2 was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 6 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.
LPL2 5040 A-1E KEV A3CA runout, etched
LPL2 5040 B-1E A2HB runout, etched
LPL2 5040 C-1E A2JC runout, etched
LPL2 5040 D-1E KEV A1TD runout, etched
CPL*2 - 5040 - A 1S STERLING RLRecord 1, Side A etched / stamped
CPL*2 - 5040 - D 1S STERLINGRecord 1, Side D etched / stamped
CPL*2 - 5040 - B 1S STERLING RLRecord 2, Side B etched / stamped
CPL*2 - 5040 - C 1S STERLING ⓍxxxxxxxRecord 2, Side C etched / stamped / scratched out
CPL*2 - 5040 - A 1S STERLING RL A1QRunout side A
CPL*2 - 5040 - B 1S STERLING RL AA4Runout side B
CPL*2 - 5040 - C 1S STERLING A4 ⓍxxxxxxxRunout side C
CPL*2 - 5040 - D 1S STERLING A1ZRunout side D
CPL*2 - 5040 - A 1S STERLING RL I A2Side A runout, variant 1
CPL*2 - 5040 - B 1S STERLING RL I A2Side B runout, variant 1
CPL*2 - 5040 - C 1S I STERLING A2 ⓍxxxxxxxSide C runout, variant 1
CPL*2 - 5040 - D 1S STERLING I A1Side D runout, variant 1
CPL-2-5040-A-2-S STERLING RL HSide A runout, variant 1
CPL-2-5040-B-2-S STERLING HSide B runout, variant 1
CPL-2-5040-C IS HSide C runout, variant 1
CPL-2-5040-D-2-S STERLING RL HSide D runout, variant 1
CPL2-5040 A TDXRunout side A etched
CPL2-5040 B TXDRunout side B etched
CPL2-5040 C TXDRunout side C etched
CPL2-5040 D TXDRunout side D 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | RCA Victor CPL2-5040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | RCA SRA-9461~62First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | RCA SRA-9461First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | RCA Victor CPL2-5040 / RCA CPL2-5040First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | RCA Victor CPL2-5040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | RCA Victor CPL2-5040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | RCA Victor CPL2-5040First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | RCA Victor CPL2-5040First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | RCA Victor CPL2-5040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | RCA Victor LPL2-5040 / RCA LPL2-5040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | RCA Victor CPL2-5040LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | RCA Victor CPL2-5040LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | Velvel Vel-LP-79831LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | BMG BMGCAT810DLP / BMG 4050538897937LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Preservation Act 2 are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1974 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is RCA Victor LPL2-5040, released July 26, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPL2-5040, CPL2-5040, SRA-9461~62, SRA-9461) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LPL2 5040 A-1E KEV A3C and LPL2 5040 B-1E A2H. 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.
