Vinyl pressings
by Hammer · 1970
Hammer was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 3 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.
ST.SF.701979-BB MO LW MR AT L △15098 (2) aB WSide A etched, MR [within circle] stamped, "L" upside down
ST.SF.701980-BB MO LW MR L △15098-X AT (1) aB WSide B etched, MR [within circle] stamped, "L" upside down
ST-SF-701979-MOLabel A
ST-SF-701980-MOLabel B
ST.SF.701979-B LW AT aB WRunout A etched
ST.SF.701980-B LW AT aB WRunout B etched
ST-SF-701979 PRLabel A
ST-SF-701980 PRLabel B
ST.SF.701979- C 3-1-1AT aB PR WRunout A etched
ST.SF.701980-C3-1-11 AT aB PR WRunout B etched
ST-SF-701979 RILabel A
ST-SF-701980 RILabel B
ST SF 701979-1A CTH ﹨ T ARunout A etched
ST SF 701980-1A CTH ﹨ T BRunout B etched
ST-SF-701979CTHLabel A
ST-SF-701980CTHLabel B
ST.SF.701979-B LW AT aB WRunout A etched
ST.SF.701980-B LW AT aB WRunout B etched
ST-SF-701979 PRLabel A
ST-SF-701980 PRLabel B
SF-13443-B [triangle with horizontal line] AT DK wA-Side Runout Etching
SF-13444A AT w DKB-Side Runout Etching
SF-13443 PRA-Side Label
SF-13444 PRB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | San Francisco Records SD 203First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Canada | San Francisco Records SD 203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | San Francisco Records 940 061 / Atlantic 940 061First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | San Francisco Records SD 203First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | San Francisco Records SD 203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | San Francisco Records SD 203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | San Francisco Records SD 203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | San Francisco Records SD 203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | San Francisco Records SD 203 / San Francisco Records 203First yearLP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1970 | US | San Francisco Records SD 203First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Germany | San Francisco Records SD 203 / Atlantic SD 203LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Atlantic 2400 122LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Hammer are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada, France. One of them is San Francisco Records SD 203.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 203, 940 061) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST.SF.701979-BB MO LW MR AT L △15098 (2) aB W and ST.SF.701980-BB MO LW MR L △15098-X AT (1) aB W. 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.
