Vinyl pressings
by Dragon · 1977
Sunshine 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.
5 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
SBP234946-1Side A runout variant 1
SBP234946-2Side B runout variant 1
‘ A MX178299E SBP234946-1Side A runout variant 2
‘ A MX178300B SBP234946-2Side B runout variant 2
MX178299Side A label
MX178300Side B label
IS PAL-35068-1DA side runout etching, variant 1
IS PBL-35968-1D oB side runout etching, variant 1
PAL-35068-IEA side runout etching, variant 2
PBL-35068-IEB side runout etching, variant 2
T1 PAL35068-1C A6 0Side A Runout, Etched.
T1 PBL35068-1B A3 0Side B Runout, Etched.
SBP 234946 A 1543-700 ·R·Side A runout
SBP 234946 B 1544-700 ·R·Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 234946First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 234946First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Portrait JR 35068First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Portrait JR 35068First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 234946First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Europe | Portrait PRT 82636LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Portrait PR 35068LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Portrait JR 35068LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Portrait PR 35068 / Portrait 35068LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Australia | CBS 19975808441 / Sony Music 19975808441LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Sunshine are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Australia, US, New Zealand. One of them is CBS SBP 234946, released February 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SBP 234946, JR 35068) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SBP234946-1 and SBP234946-2. 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.
