Vinyl pressings
by Black Sabbath · 1971
Iron Man / Electric Funeral was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
WB 7530 NA 18939-S 1B CK SSide A runout (Variant 1)
WB 7530 NA 18940-S 1B CK S 1Side B runout (Variant 1)
WB 7530 NA 18939-S 1A CK S1Side A runout (Variant 2)
WB 7530 NA 18940-S 1A CK ssssSide B runout (Variant 2)
NA18939-S-1AA-side runout
NA18940-S-1BB-side runout
(NA18939)SLabel A
(NA18940)SLabel B
NA18939-S-1A pRunout, Side A, variant 1
NA18940S-1E pRunout, Side B, variant 1
NA18939-S-1A p 2Runout, Side A, variant 2
NA18940S-1E p A IRunout, Side B, variant 2
NA18939-S-1G T1Runout A
NA18939-S-1D T1Runout B
NA18939-S-1C T11Variation 2 Side A
NA18940-S-1C T1Variation 2 Side B
WB 7530 NA 18939-S 1A CK S1runout A - stereo
WB 7530 NA 18939-DJ 1A CK Srunout B - mono
(NA18939)SLabel A
(NA18940)SLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 7530First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7530First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7530First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7530First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7530First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7530First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Warner Bros. Records WB 78027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Warner Bros. Records WB 78027", Promo, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Promo, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Warner Bros. Records WB 78027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Unknown | Not On Label (Black Sabbath)7", Single Sided, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | 7", Single Sided, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Studio Nagrań Dżwiękowych BydgoszczFlexi-disc, 4", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Picture Disc · Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 4", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
11 vinyl pressings of Iron Man / Electric Funeral are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1971 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 7530.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7530, WB 7530) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WB 7530 NA 18939-S 1B CK S and WB 7530 NA 18940-S 1B CK S 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.
