Identifying Early US Tower pressings of Pink Floyd's "A Saucerful Of Secrets"

I found a highly useful guide for ID'ing the 1968-1969 Tower Records pressings of Pink Floyd - A Saucerful Of Secrets on http://pinkfloydarchives.com/ After some editing, I wanted to post this here for reference as it has become essential for me in telling these releases apart, and hopefully will be useful to others as well.

Early U.S. Tower releases:
There are 6 different US releases on the Tower label between 1968 and 1969. All but the Record Club release carry catalog # ST 5131 and have David Gilmour's name misspelled "Gilmore" on cover credits and labels.

1ST ISSUE
Release Date: July 27, 1968
Pressed at: Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Scranton
Stamper/Matrix Information: (Side A / Side B)
ST1-5131-A1 / ST2-5131-B2 (both etched)

Back Cover Number: None.
Labels: Brown Tower labels.

To the left of the spindle hole is the Tower Records logo.

Above the spindle hole it says "PINK FLOYD."

To the right of the spindle hole it says:
STEREO
ST-5131
(ST1-5131)

The word STEREO is in a large type size, ST-5131 is about half the size of the word STEREO, and (ST1-5131) is in a small type size. There is a 1, indicating the side number, to the right of the catalog and matrix numbers in the same size as STEREO.

The song titles are all in regular font under the spindle hole. The ASCAP-song timing is either under the song title, or to the right of the song title, depending on the length of the title. Underneath the song titles are the writing credits in a regular font.

Label rimtext at bottom reads: Mfd. in U.S.A.
 
2ND ISSUE
Release Date: Late 1968 / early 1969
Pressed at: Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Scranton
Stamper/Matrix Information: (Side A / Side B)
1) ST1-5131-A1 / ST2-5131-A1 (etched)
2) ST1-5131-A1 / ST2-5131-B2 (etched) IAM (stamped)
3) ST1-5131-B2 / ST2-5131-A1 (etched) IAM (stamped)
4) ST1-5131-B2 / ST2-5131-B2 (etched) IAM (stamped)

Back Cover Number: None.
Labels: Brown Tower label with text in a very small font. To the left of the spindle hole is the Tower Records logo with the word "tower" written across the top of the T in white. Above the spindle hole it says "A Saucerful of Secrets" and "Pink Floyd."

To the right of the spindle hole it says:
STEREO
ST-5131
(ST1-5131)
SIDE 1

The word STEREO is in a large type size, ST-5131 and (ST1-5093) are about half the size of the word STEREO, and SIDE 1 is a little smaller. All the song titles on both sides are grouped together under the spindle hole. Underneath the song titles are ASCAP-, the song timing, and the writing credit. Beneath the song listing it says "Produced by: Norman Smith" and "Recorded in England."

Label rimtext at bottom reads: Mfd. in U.S.A.
 
3rd ISSUE
Release Date: Late 1968 / early 1969
Pressing Plant: Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles
Stamper/Matrix Information: (Side A / Side B)
ST 1-5131 / ST 2-5131 (etched)

This is easily distinguished from the 4th Issue Los Angeles pressing detailed below, as it includes total track timings for Side A of 19:17 and for Side B of 19:00

Back Cover Number: 6
Labels: Brown Tower label with song titles in a large bold font. To the left of the spindle hole is the Tower Records logo with the word "tower" written across the top of the T in white. Above the spindle hole it says "A Saucerful of Secrets" and "Pink Floyd."
To the right of the spindle hole it says:
STEREO
ST-5131

The words STEREO and ST-5131 are in a large bold type size. There is a large 1, indicating the side number, to the right of the catalog and matrix numbers in a larger size than STEREO. On some issues, the words STEREO and ST-5131 are separated by a space.

On Side 1, the song title, credits, and timing for the song "Let There Be More Light" are above the spindle hole, while the rest of the song titles are grouped together under the spindle hole. On Side 2, all the song titles are underneath the spindle hole. To the right of the song title is the song timing. Underneath the song titles are the writing credit, and Essex Music, Inc. (ASCAP). Beneath the song listings it says "Produced by: Norman Smith" and "Recorded in England."

Label rimtext at bottom reads: Mfd. in U.S.A.
 
4th ISSUE
Release Date: Late 1968 / early 1969
Pressed at: Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles
Stamper/Matrix Information: (Side A / Side B)
1) ST 1-5131 / ST 2-5131 (etched)
2) ST-5139 A3 B10983 / ST 2-5131 (etched - mispress with Wild in the Streets soundtrack on Side A)
3) ST 1-5139 A3 B 10983 / ST 2-5139 A3 B10984 (etched - mispress with Wild in the Streets soundtrack on both sides)

Back Cover Number: Found with none, or a 6.
Labels: Brown Tower label with song titles in a large bold font. To the left of the spindle hole is the Tower Records logo with the word "tower" written across the top of the T in white. Above the spindle hole it says "A Saucerful of Secrets" and "Pink Floyd."

To the right of the spindle hole it says:
STEREO
ST-5131

The words STEREO and ST-5131 are in a large bold type size. There is a large 1, indicating the side number, to the right of the catalog and matrix numbers in a larger size than STEREO. On some issues, the words STEREO and ST-5131 are separated by a space.

On Side 1, the song title, credits, and timing for the song "Let There Be More Light" are above the spindle hole, while the rest of the song titles are grouped together under the spindle hole. On Side 2, all the song titles are underneath the spindle hole. To the right of the song title is the song timing. Underneath the song titles are the writing credit, and Essex Music, Inc. (ASCAP). Beneath the song listings it says "Produced by: Norman Smith" and "Recorded in England."

Label rimtext at bottom reads: Manufactured in the U.S.A. by Capitol Records, Inc.

5th ISSUE
Release Date: 1969
Pressing Plant #1: Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Jacksonville
Stamper/Matrix Information: (Side A / Side B)
ST-1-5131-F4 #1 / ST-2-5151-F4 #1 (etched) 0 (stamped)

Pressing Plant #2: Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Winchester
Stamper/Matrix Information: (side 1 / side 2)
ST-1-5131-F5 / ST-2-5151-F5 -------◄ (etched)

Back Cover Number: 9, or none.
Labels: Striped Tower label with alternate strips of blue, green, purple and orange. Above the spindle hole is the Tower Records logo and the words "A Saucerful of Secrets," and "Pink Floyd."

To the right of the spindle hole it says:
Stereo
ST-5131
(ST 1-5131)
Side 1

The word Stereo is in a medium bold font size, and the catalog and matrix numbers are in a smaller bold font size. The word Side is in the same font size as Stereo, and the 1 is larger. Song titles are grouped together under the spindle hole. Underneath the song titles are the writing credits, ASCAP, and the song timings.

Label rimtext at bottom reads: Mfd. by Capitol Records, Inc, a subsidiary of Capitol Industries, Inc. U.S.A.
 
6th Issue: Record Club Edition
Catalog # is ST 2 5131; “2” inserted denotes Record Club issue.
Matrix Information: (Side A / Side B)
1) ST 25131A 1 2 / ST 2 2531 H1 2 (Side A stamped, Side B etched)

Labels: Striped Tower label with alternate strips of blue, green, purple and orange. Above the spindle hole is the Tower Records logo and the words "A Saucerful of Secrets," and "Pink Floyd." To the left of the spindle hole it says: "STEREO."

To the right of the spindle hole it says:
ST-2-5131
(ST-1-2-5131)
Side 1

Label rimtext at bottom reads: Manufactured under license from Capitol Records, Inc., Hollywood and Vine Streets, Hollywood, California.

I recently bought a copy that matches the description of the second issue with... ST1-5131-A1 / ST2-5131-A1 (etched), but it also includes the stamped IAM triangle on both sides. Does this copy sound legitimate? I hear there are counterfeits. Thanks for any information you may be able to share.

Airplayn, it sounds like you have a legit copy. In my experience, bootleggers don't take the time to reproduce the stamped symbols present on originals. The presence of the IAM triangle is a good indication that you have the real deal. Good find!

Thanks for the helpful information. That's great news to hear!