Vinyl pressings
by Chris de Burgh · 1974
Far Beyond These Castle Walls was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 3 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.
AMLH-68284-A3 RAYS C 1runout side 1 variant 1
AMLH-68284-B6 Brunout side 2 variant 1
AMLH-68284-A3 RAYS :. 7runout side 1 variant 2
AMLH-68284-B6 :. Crunout side 2 variant 2
AMLH-68284-A3 RAYSRunout side A
AMLH-68284-B7Runout side B
SP.4516-A JR TGSide 1
SP 4516 B JR TXSide 2
SP.4516-A TG.Side 1
SP 4516 B TXSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4516First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | A&M Records 875045LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1974 | Ireland | A&M Records AMID 119LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1974 | Japan | A&M Records GP-232First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68284First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 68284First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Argentina | A&M Records 6173LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Brazil | A&M Records SA&M-2150 / A&M Records SP 4516LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4516LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | A&M Records 88 566 ITLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | A&M Records 88 566 IT / A&M Records AMLH 68284LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | A&M Records SP-4516LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Portugal | A&M Records 1PSP-4516 / A&M Records P-SP 4516LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Portugal | A&M Records 1PSP-4516 / A&M Records P-SP 4516LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 3151LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records SP-69862LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 394 516-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Spain | A&M Records 394 516-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | A&M Records SP 4769 / A&M Records 6173LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-69862LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4516LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMNP 112 / A&M Records AMLH 68284LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 68284LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records 394 516-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMNP 112 / A&M Records AMLH 68284LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 68284LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Taiwan | 雅音 AR-5004LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Taiwan | 雅音 AR-10004LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Taiwan | 雅音 AR-5004LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Taiwan | 雅音 AR-5004LP, Album, Misprint, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Misprint, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Taiwan | 雅音 AR-10004LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMA 3287LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMID 119LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
43 vinyl pressings of Far Beyond These Castle Walls are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1974 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, Canada, Japan. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 68284.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 68284, SP-4516, GP-232) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLH-68284-A3 RAYS C 1 and AMLH-68284-B6 B. 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.
