Vinyl pressings
by The Velvet Underground · 1971
Andy Warhol's Velvet Underground Featuring Nico 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 3 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.
235401 0 A // 1∇420 1 2 04Variant 1: runout side A, stamped
2354010 B // 1∇420 12 2Variant 1: runout side B, stamped
2354011 A // 1∇420 11 3 3 04Variant 1: runout side C, stamped
2354011 B // 1∇420 12 8 04Variant 1: runout side D, stamped
235401 0 A//1∇420 1 2 15 04Runout side A
2354010 B//1∇420 12 1 6Runout side B
2354011 A//2 420 05 1 2Runout side C
2354011 B//1∇420 12 1 5 04Runout side D
23235401 0 A//1∇420 1 2 11 04Runout side A, variant 1
2354010 B//1∇420 12 1 1Runout side B, variant 1
2354011 A//2 420 05 1 2 2Runout side C, variant 1
2354011 B//1∇420 12 1 2 04Runout side D, variant 1
235401 0 A//1∇420 1 2 11 04Runout side A
2354010 B//1∇420 12 1 1Runout side B
2354011 A//2 420 05 1 2 2Runout side C
2354011 B//1∇420 12 1 2 04Runout side D
2355017 1 380Runout side A, stamped
2355017 2 380Runout side B, stamped
2355018 1## 380Runout side C, stamped
2355018 2 380Runout side D, stamped
2488 702 - 2Y
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 | France | Metro Records 2629 001First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Polydor 2670 231First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | MGM Records 2683 006 / MGM Records 2683-006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | MGM Records 2683 006 / MGM Records 2683-006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | MGM Records 2683 006 / MGM Records 2683-006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | MGM Records 2683 006 / MGM Records 2683-006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Metro Records 2629 001LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1972 | France | Metro Records 2629 001LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Metro Records 2626 001LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Metro Records 2626 001LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Germany | Metro Records 2626 001LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Scandinavia | Metro Records 2626 001LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Scandinavia | Metro Records 2626 001 / Metro Records 2626.001LP, Compilation, Mispress | LP, Compilation, Mispress |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2664 405LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | France | Metro Records 2629 001LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Polydor 2629001LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | MGM Records 2683 006 / MGM Records 2354010/1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | UK | Polydor 2683 006LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Polydor 2683 006LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | France | Metro Records 2629 00-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Metro Records 2629 001LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Metro Records 2629 00-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 2629001 / Metro Records 2629 001LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2683 006LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | UK | Metro Records 2629 001 / MGM Records 841 0181LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | MGM Records 2629 001LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
26 vinyl pressings of Andy Warhol's Velvet Underground Featuring Nico are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1971 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, France, Netherlands. One of them is MGM Records 2683 006.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2683 006, 2629 001, 2670 231) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 235401 0 A // 1∇420 1 2 04 and 2354010 B // 1∇420 12 2. 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.
