Vinyl pressings
by The Lettermen · 1971
Love Book 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.
6 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
ST836A SIDE 1 Z4 # 2 0Side A etched [0 stamped]
ST836 B SIDE 2 Z4 #2 0Side B etched [0 stamped]
ST 1-836Side A Label
ST 2-836Side B Label
ST 836 A Z-2- 1 ✲Side A runout, variant 1
ST 836 B-Z-1- 2 ✲Side B runout, variant 1
ST 836 A Z-2• Z ✲Side A runout, variant 2
ST 836 B-Z-2• 1 ✲Side B runout, variant 2
ST836A SIDE 1 Z4 # 2 0Side A etched [0 stamped]
ST836 B SIDE 2 Z4 #2 0Side B etched [0 stamped]
ST 1-836Side A Label
ST 2-836Side B Label
ST 836 ASide A Etched
ST836 BSide B Etched
ST1-836Side A Label
ST2-836Side B Label
ST 1-836 3SSide A Label
ST 2-836 1SSide B Label
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 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-836First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Capitol Records CP-80383First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Mexico | Capitol Records SLEM 318First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records ST-836First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records ST-836First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records ST-836First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Brazil | Capitol Records ST-836LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-40107LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Korea | Capitol Records OLE-309LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-836LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-836LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-836LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
12 vinyl pressings of Love Book are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1971 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada, Japan, Mexico. One of them is Capitol Records ST-836.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-836, CP-80383, SLEM 318) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST836A SIDE 1 Z4 # 2 0 and ST836 B SIDE 2 Z4 #2 0. 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.
