Vinyl pressings
by Dire Straits · 1978
Sultans Of Swing 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.
26 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 13 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.
6059206 1F//4▽420 04Side A runout - variant 1
6059206 2F//2▽420 04Side B runout - variant 1
6059206 1F//4▽420 04 11 83Side A runout - variant 2
6059206 2F//2▽420 04 14 25Side B runout - variant 2
VER 61735 85 1Y 380 CIDIS A11 ASide A runout, variant 1
VER 61735 85 2Y 380 CIDIS A G 8 ASide B runout, variant 1
VER 61735 85 1Y 380 CIDIS A BSide A runout, variant 2
VER 61735 85 2Y 380 CIDIS A C A A BSide B runout, variant 2
6059 206 1F//4▽420 04 1 1 2 2Side A runout, variant 1
6059 206 2F//4▽420 04 1 1 2 2Side B runout, variant 1
6059206 1F//4▽420 04 1 1 3 5Side A runout, variant 2
6059206 2F//2▽420 04 1 1 3 7Side A runout, variant 2
6059206 1F//4▽420 04 11 2 4Side A runout, variant 1
6059206 2F//2▽420 04 11 2 5Side B runout, variant 1
6059206 1F//4▽420 04 11 33Side A runout, variant 2
6059206 2F//2▽420 04 11 2 5Side B runout, variant 2
6059206 1F//4▽420 04 11 27Runout side A, variant 1
6059206 2F//2▽420 04 11 13Runout side B, variant 1
6059206 1F//4▽420 04 11 15Runout side A, variant 2
6059206 2F//2▽420 04 11 9Runout side B, variant 2
6059206 1F//4▽420 04 11 16Side A runout
6059206 2F//2▽420 04 11 9Side B runout
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 | Australia | Vertigo 6059 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Bolivia | Philips PHS - 2044First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | France | Vertigo 6173 585First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Vertigo 6059 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | Vertigo 6059 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2387First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Vertigo SNP-1014First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2387First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Kenya | Mercury 6059 206First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6059 206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | UK | Vertigo DSTR 31212", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Vertigo DSTR 31212", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Vertigo DSTR 31212", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | Argentina | Vertigo 822 246-7 / Vertigo 100447", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
66 vinyl pressings of Sultans Of Swing are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1978 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Bolivia, France and more. One of them is Vertigo 6059 206.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6059 206, 6059 206 DJ, PHS - 2044, 6173 585) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6059206 1F//4▽420 04 and 6059206 2F//2▽420 04. 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.
