Vinyl pressings
by Aretha Franklin · 1978
Almighty Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 15 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-A-773999-A (PR)P ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout side A
ST-A-774000-A (PR)P ST-A-774̷0̷00-A (PR)P ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout side B
ST-A-773999-PRLabel side A
ST-A-774000-PRLabel side B
ST-A-773999-A △23322 (3) (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side A runout, etched/stamped, variant 1
ST-A-774000-A ST-A-773̶4̶ 4000-A △23322-X (4) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR)Side B runout etched/stamped, variant 1
ST-A-773999-AA △23322 (5) (PR) SP. ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.KSide A runout, etched/stamped, variant 2
ST-A-774000-A A ST-A-774000-AAA △23322-X (2) (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side B runout, etched/stamped, variant 2
ST-A-773999 - A A A - l - SM l - l l l PRC (PR) [ᴀᴛʟᴀɴᴛɪᴄ sᴛᴜᴅɪᴏs ᴅ.ᴋ.]Run-out side A / etched [stamped]
ST-A-774000A ST-774000-A A A - l [ᴀᴛʟᴀɴᴛɪᴄ sᴛᴜᴅɪᴏs ᴅ.ᴋ.] (PR) X PRCRun-out side B / etched [stamped]
ST-A-773999-RIA Side Label
ST-A-774000-RIB Side Label
ST-A-773999-SPA Side Label
ST-A-774000-SPB Side Label
K 50445 A1 - IS EGMatrix is Etched
K 50445 B1 - IS EGMatrix is Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | MH 14394First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Argentina | Atlantic 14.394First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia & New Zealand | Atlantic SD 19161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Atlantic 30.067First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Atlantic KSD 19161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Colombia | Atlantic 23(7031)00009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Atlantic SD 19161 / Atlantic 50445First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50445First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 445-ULP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Israel | Atlantic BAN 50445First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Atlantic W 50445First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Atlantic P-10505AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Atlantic P-10505AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Spain | Atlantic S 90.044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 50445First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
23 vinyl pressings of Almighty Fire are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, South Africa and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 19161, released April 13, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 19161, K 50445, ATL 1045, 14.394) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-773999-A (PR)P ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. and ST-A-774000-A (PR)P ST-A-774̷0̷00-A (PR)P ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.. 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.
