Vinyl pressings
by Bob Welch · 1977
French Kiss 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.
36 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 19 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.
ST-1-11663 F1 #1 KP 0Side 1, Etched
ST-2-11663 F1 #1 KP 0Side 2, Etched
ST-1-11663 F6 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Side 1, Etched (Variation)
ST02-11663 F1 1 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side 2, Etched (Variation)
SPPO-8757 F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPA Side runout
SPPO-8758 F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPB Side runout
ST-1-11663 F2#3 —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPSide A runout, variant 1
ST-2-11663 F2#2 —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout, variant 1
ST-1-11663 F2#2 —◁ N MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout, variant 2
ST-2-11663 F2#6 —◁ N MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout, variant 2
ST-1-11663A Side Label
ST-2-11663B Side Label
ST-1-11663 F1 #1 ✲ KP MASTERED BY CAPITOLA Side Etch exc ✲, "...Capitol" stamps, var. 1
ST-2-11663 F6 #2 ✲ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLB Side Etch exc ✲, "...Capitol" stamps, var. 1
ST-1-11663 F'1• 1 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout A etch; 1 ✲ MASTERED stamp, variant 1
ST-2-11663 F'1• 1 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout B etch; 1 ✲ MASTERED stamp, variant 1
SW-S̸T̸-1-11663 F9• • 1 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout A etch; 1 ✲ MASTERED stamp, variant 2
SW-S̸T̸-2-11663 F10•• 3 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 2Runout B etch; 3 ✲ MASTERED stamp, variant 2
SW S̶̷T̶̷-1-11663 G12 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A runout, variant 1
SW S̶̷T̶̷-2-11663-G8 #2 ERT MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side B runout, variant 1
ST-1-11663 G12#1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A runout, variant 2
SW S̶T̶-2-11663-G8 #5 ERT MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side B runout, variant 2
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 | Argentina | Capitol Records 38015 / Capitol Records ST-11663First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Argentina | Capitol Records ST-11663First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | Capitol Records ST.11663 / Capitol Records ST-11663First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | Capitol Records ST-11663First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-11663First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records SW-11663 / Capitol Records ST-11663First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records SN-16125LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records SW-511663LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records SW-511663 / Capitol Records ST-511663First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-11663First yearLP, Album, Mispress | LP, Album, Mispress |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-11663First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Capitol Records 2S 068-85266First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Capitol Records 2S 068-85266First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-85 266 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-85 266First yearLP, Stereo, Album | LP, Stereo, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Capitol Records 14C 062-85266First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-63034LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Capitol Records 1C 038-85 266 / EMI Electrola 1C 038-85 266LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST-11663LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Spain | Capitol Records 10 C 064-085.266 / Capitol Records 10C064-085.266LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SW-11663LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16125LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
53 vinyl pressings of French Kiss are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1977 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-11663.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-11663, SW-11663, E-ST 11663, ST.11663) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-11663 F1 #1 KP 0 and ST-2-11663 F1 #1 KP 0. 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.
