Vinyl pressings
by Cliff Richard · 1977
Every Face Tells A Story 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.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 17 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.
YAX 5259-1 RG BLAIR'S 2A side runout, variant 1
YAX 5260-2 OO 5B side runout, variant 1
YAX 5259 - 1 MHO BLAIR'S 3A side runout, variant 2
YAX 5260 - 2 HG 4B side runout, variant 2
YAX 5259-1Stamped runout, side A
BLAIR'SEtched runout, side A
YAX 5260-3Stamped runout, side B
EMC 3172Side A label
EMC 3172Side B label
MCA 1222 W-2 ◈-P-◈ LBRunout A etched / ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA 1223 W-2 ◈-P-◈ LBRunout B etched / ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA1222Matrix A, on label
MCA1223Matrix B, on label
MCA 1222 W-1 LB ⧈-G-⧈Runout A etched / ⧈-G-⧈ stamped
MCA 1223 W-1 LB ⧈-G-⧈Runout B etched / ⧈-G-⧈ stamped
MCA1222Matrix A, on label
MCA1223Matrix B, on label
YAX 5259Side A Runout (Stamped)
YAX 5260Side B Runout (Stamped)
YAX-5259Side A Label
YAX-5260Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | EMI EMC 3172First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Belgium | EMI 4C 064-06323First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Canada | The Rocket Record Company PIG-2268 / MCA Records PIG-2268First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | EMI 2C 066 06.084First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | EMI 2C 068 06 323LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-06 323First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Greece | EMI 7C 062-06323First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Italy | EMI 3C 064-06 323First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Japan | EMI EMS-80792First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 062-06323First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 3172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Peru | Parlophone 02.18.30074First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Portugal | EMI 8E 068 06323First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | EMI 7C 062-06323First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | South Africa | EMI EMCJ(D)5096First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | EMI America SN-16253LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Every Face Tells A Story are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3172.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3172, PIG-2268, 4C 064-06323, 2C 066 06.084) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAX 5259-1 RG BLAIR'S 2 and YAX 5260-2 OO 5. 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.
