Vinyl pressings
by Tom Jones · 1970
Tom 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.
42 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 26 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.
ZAL-9615-P-2W JT 1Side A runout stamped, Variant 1
ZAL-9616-P-3W JT 1Side B runout stamped, Variant 1
ZAL-9615-P-3W JT 1Side A runout stamped, Variant 2
ZAL-9616-P-1W JT 1Side B runout stamped, Variant 2
ZAL-9615-P-2WSide A stamped runout variant 1
ZAL-9616-P-1W JTSide B stamped runout variant 1
ZAL-9615-P-3W BK JT 1Side A stamped runout variant 2
ZAL-9616-P-3W H JT 1Side B stamped runout variant 2
ARL-9615-P-2A K JT 1Side A runout
ARL-9616-P-1A B JT 1Side B runout
ARL.9615PSide A label
ARL.9616PSide B label
ZAL-9615-P-1WSide A Stamped, Variant 1
ZAL-9616-P-1WSide B Stamped, Variant 1
ZAL-9616-P-1W U JT 1Side A Stamped, Variant 2
ZAL-9616-P-3W H JT 1Side B Stamped, Variant 2
ZAL-9615-P-1WSide A runout stamped, variant 1
ZAL-9616-P-1WSide B runout stamped, variant 1
ZAL-9615-P-2W K II JT 1Side A runout stamped, variant 2
ZAL-9616-P-1W II I JT 1Side B runout stamped, variant 2
ZAL-9615-P-1W JTSide A runout stamped, Variant 1
ZAL-9616-P-1W JTSide B runout stamped, Variant 1
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 | Argentina | London Records 34/44-6017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Australia | Decca SKLA 5045First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Belgium | Decca SKL 5045 YFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Brazil | London Records LLN 7179First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | Parrot XPAS 71037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Parrot XPAS 71037First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | Chile | London Records LLC-38593First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Colombia | London Records XPAS 71037 / Parrot XPAS 71037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | Decca SKL 5045 YFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | France | Decca SKL 5045 B / Decca SKL 5.045 BFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Decca SLK 16 644-PFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Greece | Decca SGLK 013First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Israel | PAX ISK 1063 / PAX ISK.1063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Decca SKLI 5045First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Jamaica | London Records ZAL 9615First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Decca 258.068 BLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | India | Decca SKL 5045LP | LP |
| ? | Peru | London Records SKL-5045LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
53 vinyl pressings of Tom are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1970 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Dominican Republic, Argentina and more. One of them is Decca SKL 5045, released April 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SKL 5045, LK 5045, XPAS 71037, 34/44-6017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-9615-P-2W JT 1 and ZAL-9616-P-3W JT 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.
