Vinyl pressings
by Firefall · 1980
Clouds Across The Sun was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ST-A-80469.A SP 0-1 SM2=2 STERLINGRunout side A, var. 1
ST-A-804610.A SP 0-1 SM2-2 STERLINGRunout side B, var. 1
ST-A-804609-A SP 0-2 SM1-1 STERLINGRunout side A, var. 2
ST-A-804610-A SP 0-1 SM3-2 STERLINGRunout side B, var. 2
ST-A-805609. A Δ24975 STERLINGRunout Side A, variant 1
ST-A-805610. A Δ24975 STERLINGRunout Side B, variant 1
ST-A-804609-SP.A Δ24975 MR STERLING 16024Runout Side A, variant 2
ST-A-804610.A Δ24975X MR (3) STERLING 16024Runout Side B, variant 2
XSD.16024.A. TLC-A. ncRunout A side
XSD.16024.B. TLC-A. nc.Runout B side
XSD.16024.A. TLC-A. NC. QRunout A side, variant 2
XSD.16024.B. TLC-A. NC. QRunout B side, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Atlantic SD 16024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 16024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 767First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Atlantic ATL 50 767First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Atlantic P-10961AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Atlantic P-10961AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50 767First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Atlantic SD 16024First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Atlantic SD 16024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Atlantic SD 16024LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Spain | Atlantic S 90.368LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Clouds Across The Sun are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 16024.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 16024, XSD 16024, ATL 50 767, P-10961A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-80469.A SP 0-1 SM2=2 STERLING and ST-A-804610.A SP 0-1 SM2-2 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.
