Vinyl pressings
by Baker Gurvitz Army · 1976
Hearts On Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
TOPS 111 A-1U G G 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
TOPS 111 B-1U L 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
TOPS 111 A-1U G M 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
TOPS 111 B-1U M 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
ST-C-763597-MOLabel A
ST-C-763598-MOLabel B
ST-C-763597BBB @tGP -1 PRCSide A etched
ST-C-763598AAA-1 ATGP PRCSide B etched
ST-C-763597-RISide A label
ST-C-763598-RISide B label
ST-C-763597-B @tGP PRSide A, etched
ST-C-763598-A ATGP PRSide B, etched
ST-C-763597-PRSide A label
ST-C-763598-PRSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Vertigo 6370 416First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | Vertigo 6370 416First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 36-137First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Vertigo 9103 206First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Vertigo 6370 416First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Vertigo 6370 416First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Greece | Vertigo 6370 416First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Vertigo 6370 416AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Vertigo RJ-7097First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Scandinavia | Vertigo 6370 416First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Sweden | Vertigo 6370 416First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-137First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-137First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-137First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-137First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of Hearts On Fire are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Mountain TOPS 111, released May 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TOPS 111, SD 36-137, 6370 416, 9103 206) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TOPS 111 A-1U G G 1 and TOPS 111 B-1U L 1. 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.
