Vinyl pressings
by Yoko Ono · 1973
Approximately Infinite Universe was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
SAP 101 A - 2 U HA side stamped matrix
SAP 101 B - 2 U OB side stamped matrix
SAP 102 A - 1 U A S-APDO 1002 A- 1UC side stamped matrix [S-APDO string ID crossed out]
SAP 102 B - 1 U CD S-APDO 1002 B - 1 UD side stamped matrix [S-APDO string ID crossed out]
SAP 101-ARunout Side A
SAP-101-BRunout Side B
SAP-102-ARunout Side C
SAP-102-BRunout Side D
SAP 101 A - 2 U HA side stamped matrix
SAP 101 B - 2 U OB side stamped matrix
SAP 102 A - 1 U A S-APDO 1002 A- 1UC side stamped matrix [S-APDO string ID crossed out]
SAP 102 B - 1 U CD S-APDO 1002 B - 1 UD side stamped matrix [S-APDO string ID crossed out]
SVBB-1-3399-Z6 ━◁Runout side A, etched variant 1
SVBB-4-3399-Z5 ━◁Runout side D, etched variant 1
SVBB-2-3399-Z5 ━◁Runout side B, etched variant 1
SVBB-3-3399-Z6 ━◁Runout side C, etched variant 1
SVBB-1-3399-Z2 #1 0Runout side A, variant 1
SVBB-4-3399-Z1 #2 0Runout side D, variant 1
SVBB-2-3399-Z1 #1 0Runout side B, variant 1
SVBB-3-3399-Z1 #2 0Runout side C, variant 1
SVBB-1-3399-Z3• 1 ✼Side A
SVBB-4-3399-Z4• 1 ✼Side D
SVBB-2-3399-Z3• 1 ✼Side B
SVBB-3-3399-Z4• 1 ✼Side C
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | France | Apple Records 2 C162-94221/2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Apple Records 1 C 188-94 221/22First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Apple Records EAP-93087BFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Apple Records EAP-93087BFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | UK | Apple Records SAPDO 1001First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Venezuela | Apple Records SAPCOR-B-25First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Apple Records SVBB 3399First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Apple Records SVBB 3399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Apple Records SVBB 3399First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Apple Records SAPDO 1001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Apple Records SAPDO 1001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Secretly Canadian SC283 / Chimera Music CHIM22LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | US | Secretly Canadian SC283 / Chimera Music CHIM22LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | Japan | Sony Records Int'l SIJP 51~2LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
14 vinyl pressings of Approximately Infinite Universe are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1973 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Apple Records SAPDO 1001, released February 16, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SAPDO 1001, SVBB 3399, 2 C162-94221/2, 1 C 188-94 221/22) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SAP 101 A - 2 U H and SAP 101 B - 2 U O. 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.
