Vinyl pressings
by Van Der Graaf Generator · 1972
'68 - '71 was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
CS 2A - 1U RAYSSide A runout stamped, "RAYS" etched
CS 2 B - 1 U RAYSSide B runout stamped, "RAYS" etched
CS.2ASide A label, in parentheses
CS.2BSide B label, in parentheses
CS 2A - 1U C RAYS ISide A runout stamped, "RAYS" etched
CS 2 B - 1 & 2 (1 & 2 overstamped on each other) U G RAYS ISide B runout stamped, "RAYS" etched
AA 6393 901.1 YMatrix side A
AA 6393 901.2 YMatrix side B
10 AA6393901 1Y//2 320Runout side A (Variant 1)
10 AA6393901 2Y 320Runout side B (Variant 1)
6393 901 1 1520 11 10 72Runout side A:
6393 901 2 520 11 10 72Runout side B:
10 AA6393901 1Y//2 320 1 B1Runout, stamped, side A
10 AA6393901 2Y 320 1 A1Runout, stamped, side B
AA 6393 901.1 YMatrix label A
AA 6393 901.2 YMatrix label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Germany | Charisma 6393 901First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Charisma 6393 901First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Italy | Charisma 6393 901 LFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | UK | Charisma CS 2LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing, Compilation · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing, Compilation · Test pressing |
| 1972 | UK | Charisma Records CS2First yearLP, Single Sided, Compilation, White Label | LP, Single Sided, Compilation, White Label |
| 1972 | UK | Charisma CS 2 / Charisma CS. 2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | Charisma CS 2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1976 | UK | Charisma CS 2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1976 | UK | Charisma CS. 2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Charisma 6302 019LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Charisma 6459 012LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Italy | Charisma 6393901 A / Charisma 6393 901 LLP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Charisma CS 2LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
13 vinyl pressings of '68 - '71 are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1972 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, Germany, Italy. One of them is Charisma CS 2, released August 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS 2, CS2, 6393 901, 6393 901 L) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CS 2A - 1U RAYS and CS 2 B - 1 U RAYS. 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.
