Vinyl pressings
by B.J. Thomas · 1972
Billy Joe Thomas was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 7 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.
SPS - 5101 - A - 1Ax K STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
SPS - 5101 - ?⃫?⃫ B-1G 4-14·72 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
SPS - 5101 - A ⋅ 1G 4-1472 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
SPS - 5101 - A̶ B-1G 4-1472 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
SPS-5101-A-1C PP STERLINGRunout side A
SPS-5101-B-1C X PPRunout side B
SterlingSide A/B (stamped)
T2 SPS -5101A-1H CSide A stamped / T2 etched
T1 SPS- 5101B-1H CSide B stamped / T1 etched
SPS 5101 ALabel Side A
SPS 5101 BLabel Side B
SPS-5101-A-1E (MR) △16934 (1) STERLINGRunout A variant 1
SPS-5101-B-1F (MR) △16934-X (5)Runout B variant 1
SPS-5101-A-1F (MR) △16934 (6) STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
SPS-5101-B-1E (MR) △16934-X (1)Runout B, variant 2
SPS -5101-A-1C x pp STERLINGSide A etched, except STERLING
T1 SPS- 5101-B-1C ppSide B etched
SPS 5101 ALabel Side A
SPS 5101 BLabel Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Scepter Records SJL 934590First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Brazil | Scepter Records SPS 5101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Scepter Records SPS 5101First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Scepter Records UPS-528-SFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Scepter Records SJL-934590First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Wand WNS 17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Scepter Records SPS 5101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Scepter Records SPS 5101First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Scepter Records SPS 5101First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Scepter Records SPS-5101First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Scepter Records SPS-5101 / Scepter Records SPS 5101LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1972 | US | Scepter Records SPS 5101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Scepter Records SPS 5101First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Scepter Records SPS 5101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Scepter Records SPS 5101 / Scepter Records SMAS-94363LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Intercord INT 148.602LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Scepter Records SPS 5101LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Scepter Records SPS 5101LP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Billy Joe Thomas are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Scepter Records SPS 5101.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPS 5101, SPS-5101, WNS 17, SJL 934590) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPS - 5101 - A - 1Ax K STERLING and SPS - 5101 - ?⃫?⃫ B-1G 4-14·72 STERLING. 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.
