Vinyl pressings
by Donovan · 1973
Sailing Homeward was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ZSC 159125 1960 - ARunout side A, etched, variant 1
ZSC 159126 EPC S 1960 ■1 BRunout side B, etched/stamped, variant 1
ZSS 159125 1960-A STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2 etched [stamped "STERLING"]
ZSS 159126 EPC S 1960 ̶A̶1 B BRunout side B variant 2, stamped [etched "ZSS 159126", final "B"]
ZSS - 159125 EPC 1960 A STERLINGRunout etched, stamped side A
ZSS - 159145 EPC 1960 B1 STERLINGRunout etched, stamped side B
EPC S 1960 A1 ZSS - 159125Runout Side A
EPC S 1960 1B ZSS - 159126Runout Side B
EPC S 1960 aLabel Side A
EPC S 1960 bLabel Side B
N-S-91-63-ALabel side A
N-S-91-63-BLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | France | Epic EPC 1960First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | Epic EPC S 1960 / Epic EPC 1960First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | Epic EPC S 1960First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Epic ECPB-263First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 1960First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Portugal | Epic EPC 1960First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | Epic EPC 19607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Epic S EPC 19607", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Epic 5-111087", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Epic 5-111087", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Yugoslavia | Epic EPC 19607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Epic S EPC 19607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Epic S EPC 19607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Sailing Homeward are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Netherlands, France, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Epic EPC 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 1960, EPC S 1960, ECPB-263) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSC 159125 1960 - A and ZSC 159126 EPC S 1960 ■1 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.
