Vinyl pressings
by Gene Cotton · 1978
Save The Dancer was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
SW-50031-A-1A Masterfonics A10 S1Runout A etched / Masterfonics stamped, variant 1
SW-50031-B-1A Masterfonics A5 SRunout B etched / Masterfonics stamped, variant 1
SW-50031-A-1A MASTERPHONICS A3 S1Runout A etched / Masterfonics stamped, variant 2
SW-50031-B-1A MASTERPHONICS A6 S1Runout B etched / Masterfonics stamped, variant 2
P SW-50031-A X Masterfonics ARunout A etched / P, Masterfonics, A stamped
P SW-50031-B X Masterfonics ARunout b etched / P, Masterfonics, A stamped
SW-1-50031Runout A, on label
SW-2-50031Runout B, on label
SW-1-50031
SW-2-50031
T1 SW-50031-A-1
T1 SW-50031-B-1
P SW-50031-A 1 Masterfonics ASide A runout etched / stamped
P SW-50031-B X Masterfonics 1 1ASide B runout etched / stamped
SW-1-50031Side A label
SW-2-50031Side B label
INS 3018 A-1Side A stamped
INS 3018 B-1Side B stamped
BlairsSide etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Ariola SW 50031First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Canada | Ariola SW 50031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Ariola 26 024 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Ariola America SW 50031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | EMI International INS 3018 / EMI International 0C 062-60 764First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America SW 50031 / Ariola Records America SW-50031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America SW 50031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America SW 50031 / Ariola Records America SW-50031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America SW 50031 / Ariola Records America SW-50031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Ariola Records America SW 50031 / Ariola Records America SW-50031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Venezuela | Ariola Records America SW 50031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Ariola ARL 5015LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Save The Dancer are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Ariola Records America SW 50031.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SW 50031, INS 3018, 26 024 XOT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SW-50031-A-1A Masterfonics A10 S1 and SW-50031-B-1A Masterfonics A5 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.
