Vinyl pressings
by Crack The Sky · 1978
Safety In Numbers was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
STERLINGSide A & B each stamped in the runout
AL-35041-2C C T|Side A Runout etched [Variant 1]
BL-35041-2D |B C T|Side A Runout etched [Variant 1]
BL-35041-2D A O T\Side A Runout etched [Variant 2]
AL-35041-2F A 8 S STERLINGA side runout, variant 1
BL-35041-2F A 5 S STERLINGB side runout, variant 1
AL-35041-2F A3 1S STERLINGA side runout, variant 2
BL-35041-2F A7 1S STERLINGB side runout, variant 2
AL-35041-2A P STERLINGVariant 1, Side A etched/stamped
BL-35041-2B P STERLINGVariant 1, Side B etched/stamped
P AL-35041-2B STERLINGVariant 2, Side A etched/stamped
P BL-35041-2B STERLINGVariant 2, Side B etched/stamped
AL-35041-2BSide A Runout etched
BL-35041-2BSide A Runout etched
STERLINGSide A & B each stamped in the runout
1 1 AL-35041-2CSide A
T1 BL-35041-2CSide B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Lifesong LS 6015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Europe | Lifesong EPC 82582First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | SONY 25AP 959First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Mexico | Lifesong LNS-17208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Lifesong 25 867 XOT / Lifesong 25867 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Rhodesia | CBS ASF 2085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Lifesong ASF 2085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Lifesong LSLP 6015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Lifesong JZ 35041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Lifesong JZ 35041First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Lifesong JZ 35041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Lifesong JZ 35041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Lifesong JZ 35041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Lifesong JZ 35041First yearLP, Advance, Promo · Promo | LP, Advance, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Lifesong JZ 35041First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of Safety In Numbers are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is Lifesong JZ 35041.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JZ 35041, LSLP 6015, LS 6015, EPC 82582) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING and AL-35041-2C C T|. 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.
