Vinyl pressings
by The Sweet · 1971
Alexander Graham Bell 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.
24 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 15 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.
AGBS--20630-2 ( ) TRIHILLSide A, stamped exc. "( ) TRIHILL" are etched
AGBS--20631-1 1 CSide B, stamped; "1 C" are rotated 90 degrees
AGBS 0630Side A, label
AGBS 0631Side B, label
AGBS-0630-2 17 TRIHILLRunout Side A
AGBS-0631-1 4 ARunout Side B
AGBS 0630Label Side A
AGBS 0631Label Side B
AGBS-0630-2 TRIHILLSide A runout, stamped/etched
AGBS-0631-1 ⋀Side B runout, stamped
AGBS 0630Label Side A
AGBS 0631Label Side B
SRCA-88520 A 21171 ZPRunout A
SRCA-88520 B 21171 ZPRunout B
SRCAS 88520 A 21171 ZPRunout A
SRCAS 88520 B 21171 ZPRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-1981First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Australia | RCA Victor 102004First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | RCA Victor 49 835 / RCA Victor 49.835First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 114 / RCA 74-16 114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 114 / RCA 74-16 114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Israel | RCA Victor 2121First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Japan | RCA SS-2151First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | RCA Victor 74-16114 / RCA 74-16114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | RCA Victor 74-16114 / RCA 74-16114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 60562 / RCA 60562First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Portugal | RCA Victor 20 042First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Portugal | RCA Victor 20 042 / RCA 20 042First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Singapore | RCA Victor RCA 2121First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-273 / RCA 2121First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Spain | RCA Victor 3-10675First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
27 vinyl pressings of Alexander Graham Bell are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1971 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Yugoslavia, Australia, France and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2121.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2121, SRCA-88520, 102004, 49 835) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AGBS--20630-2 ( ) TRIHILL and AGBS--20631-1 1 C. 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.
