Vinyl pressings
by Bo Hansson · 1977
El-Ahrairah was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
YTF 50350 A CR GP 4 0Side A runout, Variant 1
YTF 50350 B 2 GP 2 3Side B runout, Variant 1
YTF 50350 A CR GP A 5Side A runout, stamped, Variant 2
YTF 50350 B 2 GP I 2Side B runout, stamped, Variant 2
YTF 50350 A CR GP 1 3Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
YTF 50350 B CR GP 2 5Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
YTF 50350 A CR GP 1 4Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
YTF 50350 B CR GP 2 3Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
CAS1132 A / 1 1 1 1 1 0Side A runout, variant 1
CAS1132 B / 1 1 1 1 1 8Side B runout, variant 1
CAS1132 A//1 1 1 1 2Side A runout, variant 2
CAS1132 B//1 1 1 2Side B runout, variant 2
SR.1.6044.LW3. 1 ✲ STERLINGRunout side A, etched, "1 ✲ STERLING" stamped (Variant 1)
SRK.2.6044.LW2. 1 ✲ STERLINGRunout side B, etched, "1 ✲ STERLING" stamped (Variant 1)
SR.1.6044.LW3. 3 ✲ STERLINGRunout side A, etched, "1 ✲ STERLING" stamped (Variant 2)
SRK.2.6044.LW2. 2 ✲ STERLINGRunout side B, etched, "1 ✲ STERLING" stamped (Variant 2)
SRK - 1 - 6044 - JW 1 1 STERLING 0Side A runout
SRK - 2 - 6044 LW 2 1 STERLINGSide B runout
SR - 1 - 6044 - WW1 ─◁ STERLINGSide A runout
SR - 2 - 6044 WW1 STERLING ─◁Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Charisma 9124 015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Charisma 9211-1132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Charisma 9124 015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Charisma 9124016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Sweden | YTF YTF 50350 / YTF YTF-50350 SFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Sweden | YTF YTF-50350 / YTF YTF-50350 EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Charisma CAS 1132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Sire SRK 6044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Sire SRK 6044First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Sire SRK 6044First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Love Records USLP-1-1102LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin CHC 49 / Charisma CHC 49LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Virgin 206 961-270 / Charisma 206 961-270LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Charisma 9124 015LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Sweden | YTF YTF-50350 / YTF YTF-50350 ELP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of El-Ahrairah are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Sweden, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is YTF YTF 50350.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use YTF 50350, YTF-50350, CAS 1132, SRK 6044) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YTF 50350 A CR GP 4 0 and YTF 50350 B 2 GP 2 3. 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.
