Vinyl pressings
by Eumir Deodato · 1984
S.O.S. Fire In The Sky was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
0-20287-A-SH1 ɑ B-20309-SH1 SLM △8314 1-1Runout etched side A with "ɑ" stamped
0-20287-B-SH3 ɑ B-20323-SH3 SLM △ 8314-X 1-1 STERLINGRunout etched side B with "ɑ" and STERLING stamped
STERLING SRC[logo] 7-29148-CNY-3463-VI-S-SR2 1-1Runout Groove A, hand-etched, except logos, stamped
STERLING SRC[logo] 7-29148-YNJ-0066-VI-S-SR1 1-1Runout Groove B, hand-etched, except logos, stamped
CNY 3463V1SLabel A
YNJ 0066 VISLabel B
0-20287-A-SR1 1-1 [SRC (Large S with the R and C in the loops) STERLING]Etched / [Stamped], Side 1
0-20287-B-SR3 1-1 [SRC (Large S with the R and C in the loops)]Etched / [Stamped], Side 2
PRO-A1-2208-SH1 a B-20155-SH1 SLM △ 8060 1 - 1 [STERLING]Runout, side A, etched / [stamped]
PRO-A2-2208-SHI a B-20158-SH1 SLM △ 8060-X 1 - 1 [STERLING]Runout, side B, etched / [stamped]
7-29148-CNY-3463-V1-S-SH1 O R-13511-SH1 STERLING △8062 1-1Runout, Both Sides
CNY 3463V1SLabel, Both Sides
D / R/S Alsdorf 920287-0 ARunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 920287-0 BRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 920987-0 A 9Runout side A, variant 2
BE R/S Alsdorf 920987-0 BRunout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 0-20287First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 0-20287First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Bolivia | WEA WS-9099First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 02870First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 929 148-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Warner Bros. Records 929 148-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Warner Bros. Records 0-20287 / Warner Bros. Records 9 20287-0 AFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 0287-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records 0-20287 / Warner Bros. Records 9 20287-0 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records SLDB-3053First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records DS-022First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-424First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBM 58First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | US | Warner Bros. Records 0-20287 / Warner Bros. Records 9 20287-0 AFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-2208First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Blanco Y Negro Fire 0112" | 12" |
20 vinyl pressings of S.O.S. Fire In The Sky are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Europe, Australia, Bolivia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 0-20287.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0-20287, 7-29148, PRO-A-2208, 920 287-0) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0-20287-A-SH1 ɑ B-20309-SH1 SLM △8314 1-1 and 0-20287-B-SH3 ɑ B-20323-SH3 SLM △ 8314-X 1-1 STERLING. 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.
