Vinyl pressings
by Third Ear Band · 1969
Alchemy was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SHVL 756 A - 1Runout A, variant 1
SHVL 756 B - 1Runout B, variant 1
SHVL 756 A - 1 R 1Side A runout, stamped variant 2
SHVL 756 B - 1 R 1Side B runout, stamped variant 2
SHVL 756 A-1Side A runout variant 1
SHVL 756 B-1Side B runout variant 1
SHVL 756 A - 1 P 1Side A runout variant 2
SHVL 756 B - 1 O 1Side B runout variant 2
SKAO-2-376-A1 (IAM Triangle)Side A runout variant 2
SKAO-1-376-B2 (IAM Triangle)Side B runout variant 2
(Scratched) SKAO-I-376-H-3°
(Scratched) SKAO-Z-376-H-3°
SKAO-1-376-H-3° I ✲Etched Side A (“I” and “✲” Stamped)
SKAO-2-376-H-3° I ✲Etched Side B (“I” and “✲” 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Capitol Records SKAO 376First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | Harvest SHVL 756 / Harvest 1C 062-04 076First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | South Africa | Harvest SHVLJ(D) 756First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Harvest SHVL 756First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Harvest SKAO 376First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Harvest SKAO 376First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Harvest SHVL 756First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Japan | Odeon OP-80263LP, Album, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1971 | Japan | Odeon OP-80263LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1971 | Japan | Odeon OP-80263LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Odeon EOP-80650LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | Odeon EOP-80650LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1974 | UK | Harvest SHVL 756LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | GI Records WAX 2LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue · Numbered | LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue · Numbered |
| 1988 | UK | Drop Out Records DO 1999LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Timeless Time 732LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2019 | UK | Esoteric Recordings PECLECLP 2668LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Timeless Time 732LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Harvest SHVL 756LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Harvest SHVL 756LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
20 vinyl pressings of Alchemy are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1969 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Harvest SHVL 756.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHVL 756, SKAO 376, SHVLJ(D) 756) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHVL 756 A - 1 and SHVL 756 B - 1. 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.
