Vinyl pressings
by Black Sabbath · 1972
Attention! Black Sabbath! 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.
3 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 2 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.
10 AA6438057 1Y 320 A S 3Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
10 AA6438057 2Y 320 AHRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
10 AA6438057 1Y 320 1 GRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
10 AA6438057 2Y 320 1 HRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
AA 6438057 1Y1 P1970 670 1/3 04Side A
AA 6438057 1Y1 P1970 670 1/4 04Side B
AA 6438 057 1Y 1 Ⓟ 1970 670 111 04Runout side A, stamped
AA 6438 057 2Y 1 Ⓟ 1970 670 118 04Runout side B, stamped
6438 057.1Label A
6438 057.2Label 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 | Germany | Fontana 6438 057First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Fontana 6438 057First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Fontana 6438 057First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Bolivia | Philips PHL-59LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Bolivia | Philips PHL-59LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Japan | Fontana PAT-21LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | Fontana PAT-1003LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | Fontana BT-5036LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Netherlands | WWA Records WWA 100LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | UK | WWA Records WWA 100LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | WWA Records WWA 100LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | WWA Records WWA 100LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | WWA Records WWA 100LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5551 / Fontana Special 6438 057LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5551 / Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | WWA Records WWA100LP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2011 | US | WWA Records WWA100LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Italy | Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Ireland | WWA Records WWA 100LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Fontana 322 / Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | New Zealand | Fontana 322 / Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | WWA Records WWA 100LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5551 / Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5551 / Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5551 / Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5551 / Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5551 / Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5551 / Fontana 6438 057LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
37 vinyl pressings of Attention! Black Sabbath! are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany, Netherlands. One of them is Fontana 6438 057.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6438 057) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 10 AA6438057 1Y 320 A S 3 and 10 AA6438057 2Y 320 AH. 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.
