Vinyl pressings
by Anthony Phillips · 1979
Sides was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
AFLP 1 A//1▽ET 12 2 1 RAYSRunout C, stamped, "RAYS" etched
AFLP 1 B//1▽ET 11 8 RAYSRunout D, stamped, "RAYS" etched
(SPART.1085A)Label A
(SPART.1085B)Label B
(SPART.1085A)Label A
(SPART.1085B)Label B
PB- 9834- SA HUB STERLINGRunout side A
PB- 9834- SB HUB Rc STERLINGRunout side B
PB- 9834- SA HUB STERLINGRunout side A
PB- 9834- SB HUB Rc STERLINGRunout side B
9167-9834-ASide A
9167-9834-BSide B
015 9103560 1Y 380 POLYGRAM A4Run Out, Side A, Stamped
015 9103560 2Y 380 POLYGRAM A5Run Out, Side B, Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Passport Records 9167-9834First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Vertigo 9103 560First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Vertigo 9124 362First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Vertigo 9124 362First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo RJ-7602First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo RJ-7602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Vertigo 9124 362First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Passport RecordsLP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | UK | Arista SPART 1085 / Arista AFLP 1First yearLP, Album, LP, Album | LP, Album, LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Arista SPART 1085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Passport Records PB 9834First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Passport Records PB 9834First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Sides are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Arista SPART 1085, released April 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPART 1085, PB 9834, 9167-9834, 9103 560) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFLP 1 A//1▽ET 12 2 1 RAYS and AFLP 1 B//1▽ET 11 8 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.
