Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1980
Sometimes A Fantasy was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, 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.
ZSS 167776 1A STERLING PSide A Runout, Variation 1
ZSS 167777 1A STERLING PSide B Runout, Variation 1
ZSS 167776 1B STERLING PSide A Runout, Variation 2
ZSS 167777 1B STERLING PSide B Runout, Variation 2
ZSS 167776 1E S [STERLING]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS 167777 1E S [STERLING]Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS 167776Side A Label
ZSS 167777Side B Label
ZSS 167776A Side Label
ZSS 167777B Side LAbel
T ZSS 167776 ID STERLINGA Side
ZSS 167776 ID T1 STERLINGB Side
XSS 167787 1A sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRunout A
XSS 167788 1A sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRunout B
XSS 167787Label A
XSS 167788Label B
T ZSS 167776 1D sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out A
ZSS 167778 1D ᵀᴵRun-out B
ZSS 167776Label A
ZSS 167778Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | CBS BA-222770First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS BA 222770First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia 1-11379 / Family Productions 1-11379First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Mexico | CBS BS-35,023 / Family Productions BS-35,023First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Mexico | CBS 45F-8341First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | CBS 9349 / CBS CBS 9349First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | CBS BA 222754First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11379 / Family Productions 1-11379First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11379 / Family Productions 1-11379First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11379 / Family Productions 1-11379First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11379 / Family Productions 1-11379First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11379 / Family Productions 1-11379First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1980 | US | Columbia AS 865First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11379 / Family Productions 1-11379First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia 1-11379 / Family Productions 1-11379First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Sometimes A Fantasy are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 1-11379, released September 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-11379, AS 865, CBS 9419, BA-222770) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 167776 1A STERLING P and ZSS 167777 1A STERLING P. 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.
