Vinyl pressings
by Focus · 1972
Sylvia was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, 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.
5C 006-24607A//HD17121-1-Y-9 ⇀ ☻—☻Runout side A, variant 1
5C 006-24607B//HD17122-1-Y-9 ⇀ ☻—☻Runout side B, variant 1
5C 006-24607A//HD17121-1-Y-9 4 1 1Runout side A, variant 2
5C 006-24607B//HD17122-1-Y-9 5 1 1Runout side B, variant 2
5C006-24607A//HD17121-1-Y-9Side A runout
5C006-24607B//HD17122-1-Y-9Side B runout
5C 006-24607-ASide A label
5C 006-24607-BSide B label
MB-27582-AS-3Side A - Etched
STERLINGSide A - Stamped
MB-27583-BS-4Side B - Etched
IAM inside a TriangleSide B - Stamped
MB-27582-AS-1 [Stamped: STERLING] RL PRScribed in runout A
MB-27583-BS-2 -11-1 PR DScribed in runout B
MB 27582-SLabel A
MB 27583-SLabel B
MB-27582-SLabel side A
MB-27583-SLabel side B
MB 27582-AM-4Mono side
MB 27582-AS-4Stereo side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Belgium | Imperial 4 C006 - 24607 / Imperial 4 C 006-24607First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2001 349First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 006-24607 / Imperial 5C 006-24 607First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 006-24607 / Imperial 5C-006-24 607First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Polydor 2001 349First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAA-708First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAA-708First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAA-708First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAA-708First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB S 53688 / Polydor 2001 3497", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Sylvia are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Netherlands, US, Belgium, Germany and more. One of them is Imperial 5C 006-24607.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5C 006-24607, SAA-708, 4 C006 - 24607, 2001 349) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5C 006-24607A//HD17121-1-Y-9 ⇀ ☻—☻ and 5C 006-24607B//HD17122-1-Y-9 ⇀ ☻—☻. 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.
