Vinyl pressings
by Gary Wright · 1977
The Light Of Smiles 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.
21 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 14 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.
BS-1-2951-RE-1 P-2 TML-SA-Side runout, variant 1
BS-2-2951 P-3 TML-SB-Side runout, variant 1
BS-1-2951-RE1 P3 TML-MA-Side runout, variant 2
BS-2-2951 P1 TML-SB-Side runout, variant 2
BS-1-2951-RE1 LW-1 ✲ (TML-M, stamped)Variant 1 Side A Runout - Etched
BS-2-2951 LW4 (TML-S, stampedVariant 1 Side B Runout - Etched
BS - 1 - 2951 - RE1 TML-S L W 2 2 ✲Variant 2 Side A
BS - 2 - 2951 - RE1 L W 4 TML-S 1 ✲Variant 2 Side B
BS-1-2951 RE1 SM1 AARunout A etched [Var 1]
BS-2-2951 SM2 TML-SRunout B etched [Var 1]
BS-1-2951-RE-1 SM3 TML-SRunout A etched, TML-S stamped [Var 2]
BS-2-2951 SM1 TML-MRunout B etched; TML-M stamped [Var 2]
T1 BS-1-2951-RE-1-A-TH 1 TML-S CRunout A, variant 1
T1 BS-2-2951-B.TH-3 TML-S CRunout B, variant 1
T1 BS-1-2951-RE-1-A·TH·1 TML-S ARunout A, variant 2
T1 BS·2·2951-BTH·2 TML-S BRunout B, variant 2
BS-1-2951-RE-1 WW1 TML-M ─◁Side A
BS 2-2951 WW1#3 TML-M ─◁Side B
BS-1-2951-RE-1 JW 1 #1 TML-SSide A runout
BS-2-2951-JW-1 2 # 1 TML-MSide 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 | Warner Bros. Records BS 2951First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records BS 2951First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2951First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2951First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Warner Bros. Records 56 278First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 278 / Warner Bros. Records BS-1-2951First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56278First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10294-WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10294WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56278First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BS 2951First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records LP-S-65 -22 / Warner Bros. Records LP-S-65-22First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records HWBS 321-132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Turkey | Warner Bros. Records BS 2951 / Warner Bros. Records 912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 56278 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2951First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of The Light Of Smiles are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BS 2951.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BS 2951, K 56278, 56 278, WB 56 278) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BS-1-2951-RE-1 P-2 TML-S and BS-2-2951 P-3 TML-S. 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.
