Vinyl pressings
by Be Bop Deluxe · 1976
Ships In The Night 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 10 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.
SHAR 5104 A-1 RM 2A side runout variant 1
SHAR 5104 B-1 AD 2B side runout variant 1
SHAR 5104 A-1 AL 2A side runout variant 2
SHAR 5104 B-1 AD 2B side runout variant 2
SHAR 5104 A-1
SHAR 5104 B-1
S-X-49413ASide A Label
S-X-49414ASide B Label
S45-X-49413ASide A Label
S45-X-49414ASide B Label
X49413A 4244 F1-1 KP O MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A Runout
X49414A 4244 F1-1 KP O MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B Runout
S-X-49413ASide A Label
S-X-49414ASide 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 | Ecuador | EMI 102-0050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Germany | Harvest 1C 006-06 049 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-06 049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | EMI Electrola GmbH 1C 006-06 0497", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Harvest 5c006-06049 / EMI Electrola 5C 006-06049First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Harvest HAR 5104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Portugal | Harvest 8E 006 06049 GFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | South Africa | Harvest HARJ 5104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Spain | Harvest 1 J 006-06.049First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Harvest 4244First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Harvest 4244First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Harvest 4244First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Harvest HAR 5104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Harvest HAR 5104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | Harvest HAR 5104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1976 | US | Harvest P-4244First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
17 vinyl pressings of Ships In The Night are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Ecuador and more. One of them is Harvest HAR 5104, released January 9, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HAR 5104, 4244, P-4244, HAR-11049) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHAR 5104 A-1 RM 2 and SHAR 5104 B-1 AD 2. 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.
