Vinyl pressings
by Graham Parker And The Rumour · 1979
Squeezing Out Sparks was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 15 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.
9102030 1Y//4∇ E ST 1 1 9 STERLING 9102 030 A GCA-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
9102030 2Y//4∇ E ST 1 1 2 STERLING 9102 030 B GCB-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
9102030 1Y//3∇ E ST 12 8 STERLING 9102•030•AA-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
9102030 2Y//3∇ E ST 1 1 9 STERLING 9102 030 AB-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
6360 168-A ӿ 5567 - 700Side A
6360 168-B ӿ 5568 - 700Side B
AA 6360 168 1Y 1 670 1 1 3 03Side A runout, stamped
AA 6360 168 2Y 1 670 1 1 3 03Side B runout, stamped
6360 168.1Side A label
6360 168.2Side B label
T\ AB4223-AS-CT1 STERLING GCRunout side A, Variant 1
T/ AB 4223-BS-CT2 STERLINGRunout side B, Variant 1
1T AB4223-AS-CT[1 overwrites 2] STERLING GC CRunout side A, Variant 2
T1 AB 4223-BS-CT2 B STERLINGRunout side B, Variant 2
AB 4223 SADisc Label Side 1
AB 4223 SBDisc Label Side 2
STERLINGRunout both sides, stamped
IS AB4223-AS-CS1 GCSide A, etched, Variant 1
IS AB•4223•BS-CS1 A2Side B, etched, Variant 1
IS AB4223-AS-CS1 GC A6Side A, etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Arista AB 4223First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Arista AB 4223First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Vertigo 6360 168First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Vertigo 6360 168First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Vertigo 6360 168First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1979 | Ireland | Vertigo 9102 030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo RJ 7584First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Vertigo RJ 7584First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6360 168First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6360 168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | Vertigo 6360 168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Vertigo 6360 168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | Vertigo STAR 5077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Vertigo 63 60 168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Vertigo 6360 168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Arista AB 4223LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arista ALB6-8363LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Arista AB 4223 / Arista AL5-8075LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
32 vinyl pressings of Squeezing Out Sparks are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, France, Australia and more. One of them is Vertigo 9102 030, released March 9, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9102 030, 6360 168, AB 4223, AL 5 8075) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9102030 1Y//4∇ E ST 1 1 9 STERLING 9102 030 A GC and 9102030 2Y//4∇ E ST 1 1 2 STERLING 9102 030 B GC. 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.
