Vinyl pressings
by Carly Simon · 1981
Torch was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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.
BSK-1-3592-S1 [Allied logo] B-16095-S1 STERLING SA + SLM +++++ △897Runout A etched except STERLING SLM [Allied logo] stamped
BSK-2-3592-S1 [Allied logo] B-16096-S1 STERLING SA + SLM +++++ △897-XRunout B etched except STERLING SLM [Allied logo] stamped
BSK 1 3592 WW2 #2 —◁ STERLING TJSide A runout, etched except STERLING stamped, variant 1
BSK 2 3592 WW2 —◁ STERLING TJSide B runout, etched except STERLING stamped, variant 1
BSK 1 3592 WW1 #3 —◁ STERLING TJSide A runout, etched except STERLING stamped, variant 2
Side B runout, etcheBSK 2 3592 WW1 —◁ STERLING TJSide B runout, etched except STERLING stamped, variant 2
BSK 1 3592 JW2 #3 STERLING TJ 0Side A, Variant 1
BSK 2 3592 JW 1 #1 STERLING TJ 0Side B, Variant 1
BSK 1 3592 JW1 #3 0 STERLING TJSide A, Variant 2
BSK 2 3592 JW1 #4 STERLING TJ 0Side B, Variant 2
BSK-1-3592-S2 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-16095-S2 STERLING SP + SLM ꔰ [:+] △897Runout side A
BSK-2-3592-S1 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-16096-S1 STERLING SP + SLM [·+] △897-XRunout side B
△ MX199091 BSK3592-1Side 1 stamped runout
△ MX199092 BSK3592-2Side 2 stamped runout
MX199091Side 1 label
MX199092Side 2 label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Warner Bros. Records 208994First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1981 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 36.194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3592First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1981 | Colombia | Warner Bros. Records 23(1031)00275First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 935First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1981 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 935First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB K 56 935First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1981 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 935 / Warner Bros. Records WB K 56 935First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1981 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-11064WFirst yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1981 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records SP-11064WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records LWB 6055First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 935First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1981 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records WAR 56935First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 935 / Warner Bros. Records WB K 56 935First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1981 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records S 90.473First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3592LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
27 vinyl pressings of Torch are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Argentina and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3592, released August 1, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3592, K 56935, 208994, 36.194) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3592-S1 [Allied logo] B-16095-S1 STERLING SA + SLM +++++ △897 and BSK-2-3592-S1 [Allied logo] B-16096-S1 STERLING SA + SLM +++++ △897-X. 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.
