Vinyl pressings
by Bonnie Raitt · 1977
Sweet Forgiveness 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.
22 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 10 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.
BS-1-2990-LW 2 1 ✲ [Artisan logo]Runout A, variant 1
BS-2-2990-LW 2 1 [Artisan logo]Runout B, variant 1
BS-1-2990-LW 2•• 1 ✲ [Artisan logo]Runout A, variant 2
BS-2-2990-LW 2: 1 [Artisan logo]Runout B, variant 2
1 S BS-1-2990-CSM 3 (Artisan Logo) B1Runout A, variant 1
1 S BS-2-2990-CSM 3 (Artisan Logo) A7Runout B, variant 1
1 S BS-1-2990-CSM 2 (Artisan Logo) B1Runout A, variant 2
1 S BS-2-2990-CSM 2 (Artisan Logo) A7Runout B, variant 2
BS-2-2990-CP 2 [Artisan logo]Side B runout, variant 1
BS-2-2990-P4Side A runout, variant 2
BS-2-2990-CP 3Side B runout, variant 2
P BS-1-2990- CP 1 [Artisan logo] 4 CSide A runout, , variant 3
BS-1-2990-WW 1#4 ─◁Runout Side A, var. 1
BS-2-2990-WW 1 ─◁Runout Side B, var. 1
BS-1-2990-WW 3 ─◁Runout Side A, var. 2
BS-2-2990-WW 3 #2 ─◁Runout Side B, var. 2
BS - 1 - 2990 - G 1 ['Artisan' logo] GOLRunout side A, variant 1
BS - 2 - 2990 - G 1 ['Artisan' logo] GOLRunout side B, variant 1
BS - 1 - 2990 - G 1 ['Artisan' logo] GOLRunout side A, variant 2
BS - 2 - 2990 - G 1 11 ['Artisan' logo] GOLRunout side B, variant 2
BS-1-2990-JW 1 #1 [Artisan logo] 0Side A runout, variant 1
BS-2-2990-JW 2 #2 [Artisan logo] 0Side B runout, variant 1
BS-1-2990-JW 1 #2 [Artisan logo] 0Side A runout, variant 2
BS-2-2990-JW 2 #1 [Artisan logo] 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 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 2990First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 2990First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2990First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2990First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2990First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Warner Bros. Records 56 323First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 323 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2990First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10371WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10371WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56323 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2990First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records HWBS 321-149 (WL) / Warner Bros. Records HWBS 321-149First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records HWBS 321-149 (WL)First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 56323First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 56323 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2990First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2990LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2990LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of Sweet Forgiveness are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1977 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BS 2990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BS 2990, K 56323, 56 323, WB 56 323) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BS-1-2990-LW 2 1 ✲ [Artisan logo] and BS-2-2990-LW 2 1 [Artisan logo]. 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.
