Vinyl pressings
by The Percy Faith Strings · 1970
The Beatles Album 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.
12 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 9 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.
XSM 153520 1-BRunout side A, variant 1
XSM 15321 1BRunout side B, variant 1
P o XSM-153520 1CRunout side A, variant 2
P o XSM-153521 1CRunout side B, variant 2
AS 13279-1ASide 1 stamped
BS 13279-1ASide 2 stamped
XSM 153520 1A BI T1 oSide A runout, var. 1
XSM 153521 1-A B3 T 1 oSide B runout, var. 1
XSM 153520 1-A A 6 1 T oSide A runout, var. 2
XSM 153521 1-A B 1 T 1 oSide B runout, var. 2
S 64152 AI ⋀Runout side A, stamped
S 64152 BI ⋀Runout side B, stamped
S 64152 ALabel side A
S 64152 BLabel side 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 | Australia | CBS SBP-233873First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | Canada | Columbia C 30097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Italy | CBS S 64152First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | Mexico | CBS CLS 5308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Netherlands | CBS S 64152First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 473819First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | Spain | CBS S-64152 / CBS S 64152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | UK | CBS 64152 / CBS S 64152First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Embassy S EMB 31345First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | US | Columbia C 30097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia Special Products P 13279First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia C 30097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPM-43LP, Special Edition | LP, Special Edition |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony SONX-60174LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony SONX-60174LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2631LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Epic 10.012LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony FCPA-38LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Venezuela | CBS CS-10007LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of The Beatles Album are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1970 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia C 30097.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C 30097, P 13279, 64152, S EMB 31345) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSM 153520 1-B and XSM 15321 1B. 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.
