Vinyl pressings
by The Lovin' Spoonful · 1968
The Best Of The Lovin' Spoonful was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
KLPS 8064 MGS1178-1 BellSound I1 [block-S]A-side runout, etched & stamped
KLPS 8064 MGS1179-2 BellSound 13 [block-S]B-side runout, etched & stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | Kama Sutra KLPS-8064First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Kama Sutra 620 007First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Kama Sutra KLPS-8064 / Kama Sutra KLPS8064First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Kama Sutra KLPS-8064 / Kama Sutra KLPS 8064First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Kama Sutra KLP-8064 / Kama Sutra KLPS8064First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Kama Sutra KLP-8064 / Kama Sutra KLP8064First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Kama Sutra KLPS-8064 / Kama Sutra KLPS8064First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1968 | UK | Kama Sutra KSLP405First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Kama Sutra MAL 1116 / Marble Arch MAL 1116LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Taiwan | Hua Sheng KHS-4215LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
10 vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Lovin' Spoonful are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Canada, Germany. One of them is Kama Sutra KLPS-8064.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KLPS-8064, KLP-8064, KSLP405, 620 007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KLPS 8064 MGS1178-1 BellSound I1 [block-S] and KLPS 8064 MGS1179-2 BellSound 13 [block-S]. 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.
