Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1970
The Seeker 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.
25 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 20 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.
604036 A//2 1 7Runout side A, variant 1
604036 B//1 1 1 7Runout side B, variant 1
604036 A//2 1 1 2Runout side A, variant 2
604036 B//1 1 1 1 0Runout side B, variant 2
7 122560 15 2A-side runout, variant 1
7 122561 18 2B-side runout, variant 1
7 122560 9 2A-side runout, variant 2
7-122561-10 2B-side runout, variant 2
7 122560 A 1A-side runout, stamped
7-122561-1 1B-side runout, etched
(7-122,560)A-side label
(7-122,561)✤B-side label
7-122,560A-side label
7-122,561B-side label
PPN 4193On label side A
PPN 4194On label 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 | Polydor NH-539132First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Austria | Polydor 2121 001 / Polydor 2121001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Austria | Polydor 2121 001 / Polydor 2121001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1970 | Belgium | Polydor 2121 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Belgium | Polydor 2121 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Canada | Decca 732670First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | France | Polydor 2121 001First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2121 001 / Polydor 2121001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Greece | International Polydor Production NHH 2121 001First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2121 001First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Japan | Polydor DP 1716First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Lebanon | Polydor 2121001First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Polydor 2121001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2121 001 / Polydor 2121.001First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Singapore | Polydor 2121001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2121 0017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Hong Kong | Polydor 21210017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
27 vinyl pressings of The Seeker are listed here, from 21 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, France, Mexico and more. One of them is Track Record 604036, released March 20, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 604036, 32670, 2121 001, 2229 006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 604036 A//2 1 7 and 604036 B//1 1 1 7. 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.
