Vinyl pressings
by Gordon Lightfoot · 1974
Sundown was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 17 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.
RCN 0068S-1C TIRunout A variant 1
RCN 0071S-1D TIIIRunout B variant 1
RCN 0068S-1E TRunout A stamped variant 2
RCN 0071S-1E T TIIIRunout B stamped variant 2
REP-1194 RCN 0068-COMP. (etched)Runout A -Side
REP-1194 RCN 0071-S 1B (etched)Runout B-Side
REP-1194 RCN 0068-COMP. 1B (etched)Runout A -Side - Variant 2
REP-1194 RCN 0071-S 1A (etched)Runout B-Side - Variant 2
RCN 0068-1B pA side runout stamped - Variant 1
RCN 0071S-1A pB side runout stamped - Variant 1
RCN 0068 S-1FA side runout stamped - Variant 2
RCN 0071 S-1FB side runout stamped - Variant 2
REP-1194 RCN-0068-COMP. 1C SDeadwax A, variant 1
REP-1194 RCN-0071 1A M SSDeadwax B, variant 1
REP-1194 RCN-0068-COMP. 1B SDeadwax A, variant 2
REP-1194 RCN-0071 1A M SSDeadwax B, variant 2
K•14327•A1 28 ΛA-Side - Stamped
K•14327•B1 35 ΛB-Side - Stamped
K 14327 AA-Side Label
K 14327 BB-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Angola | Reprise Records R 21-206First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Australia | Reprise Records R-1194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Brazil | Reprise Records RLCS-4027First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Reprise Records REP 1194First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Reprise Records REP 1194First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | France | Reprise Records 14.327First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 14 353First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 14 353 (N)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Mexico | Reprise Records G-1336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Reprise Records REP-14.353 / Reprise Records REP 14353First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RO 1194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Peru | Reprise Records REP 1194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Portugal | Reprise Records N-S-66-41First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Reprise Records R21 206First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Spain | Reprise Records 45-1096First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Angola | Polar D.P.N. 20027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Philippines | Reprise Records REP-11947", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
31 vinyl pressings of Sundown are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Japan, Angola and more. One of them is Reprise Records REP 1194, released March 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use REP 1194, K 14327, P-1324R, R 21-206) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCN 0068S-1C TI and RCN 0071S-1D TIII. 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.
