Vinyl pressings
by Vanilla Fudge · 1969
Near The Beginning 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.
23 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ST-C-691529-MG - A MG LW AT WA-Side Runout, etched
ST-C-691530-MG - A-2 MG LW AT WB-Side Runout, etched
ST-C-691529-MGA-Side Label
ST-C-691530-MGB-Side Label
ST-C-691529 - C LW AT RGA side etch, variant 1
ST-C-691530 - A LW AT RGB side etch, variant 1
ST-C-691529 - A LW AT RG WA side etch, variant 2
ST-C-691530 - A LW AT RG WB side etch, variant 2
ST-C691529 - BB AT MR △12950(A)-etched
ST-C691530 - BB AT MR △12950-X(B)-etched
CT ST-C691529 - 1A \ TRunout Side A stamped, variant 1
ST-C691530 - 1C CT / TRunout Side B stamped, variant 1
ST C691529-1C CT TRunout Side A stamped, variant 2
CT ST-C-691530-1A TRunout Side B stamped, variant 2
ST-C-691529-1D P A2 CPSide A Runout, Stamped, Var. 1
ST-C-691530-1D P A4 CPSide B Runout, Stamped, Var. 1
CP o ST-C-691529-1D P D3Side A Runout, Stamped, Var. 2
CP o ST-C-691530-1E P A3Side B Runout, Stamped, Var. 2
o ST C691529-1C | CT T D5Variant 1 Side A, runout
CT o ST-C691530-1A \ T X CVariant 1 Side B, runout
o ST C691529-1A | T CT D2Variant 2 Side A, runout
CT o ST-C691530-1A \ T P D3Variant 2 Side B, runout
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 | Australia | Atlantic SAL-933239First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1969 | Colombia | ATCO Records 33278First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | France | ATCO Records 503 044First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | ATCO Records 503 044LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1969 | Germany | ATCO Records SD 33-278LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1969 | Germany | ATCO Records SD 33-278First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | Not On LabelLP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1969 | Italy | Atlantic ATS ST 06024 / Atlantic ATS-ST 06024First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Italy | Atlantic ATS ST 06024 / Atlantic SD 33-278First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | Atlantic SMT-1071First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Atlantic SAL-933-239First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Taiwan | 中聲 CSJ-847LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1969 | Australia | Atlantic SAL-933-239First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-278First yearLP | LP |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-278LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | France | ATCO Records ATCO-40075LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | ATCO Records 40 075 / ATCO Records SD 33 278LP | LP |
| 1972 | UK | ATCO Records K 40075LP, Repress | LP, Repress |
| 1974 | Germany | Midi MID 20 075LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Midi MID 20 075LP, Album, Reissue, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Reissue, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | Midi MID 20 075LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Yugoslavia | Atlantic ATL 40075 / ATCO Records 40 075LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Italy | Atlantic W 40075LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | ATCO Records P-8614TLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | ATCO Records K 40075 XLP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Germany | Repertoire Records RR 2127-TSLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | ATCO Records 40 075LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Midi MID 20075LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Midi MID 20 075LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Midi MID 20075 / Midi MID 20 075LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
44 vinyl pressings of Near The Beginning are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1969 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is ATCO Records SD 33-278, released February 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 33-278, 228020, SAL-933-239, ATC 9177) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-C-691529-MG - A MG LW AT W and ST-C-691530-MG - A-2 MG LW AT W. 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.
