Vinyl pressings
by Hummingbird · 1977
Diamond Nights 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.
11 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 4 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.
A+M SP 5059(RE-1)-P1A-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
A+M SP 5060(RE-1)-P1B-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
A+M SP 5059(RE-1)-P2A-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
A+M SP 5060(RE-1)-P2A-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
SP-5059Side A label
SP-5060Side B label
TI A+M SP 5059(RE-1)-T2Variant 1, A-Side Runout Etching
TI A+M SP 5060(RE-1)-T1Variant 1, B-Side Runout Etching
T1 A+M SP 5059(RE-1)-T2 11 CVariant 2, A-Side Runout Etching
TI A+M SP 5060(RE-1)-T1 A2Variant 2, B-Side Runout Etching
p A+M SP 5059(RE-1)-P1A-Side Runout Etching
p A+M SP 5060(RE-1)-P1B-Side Runout Etching
SP-5059Side A label
SP-5060Side B label
A&M SP 5059(RE-1)-M4 MR L △22608 (2)Side A runout etched
A&M SP 5060(RE-1)-M4 MR L △22608-X (3)Side B runout etched
MRSides A & B runout-MR in circle-stamped
LSides A & B runout stamped
AMLH 64661.A1 MR [in a circle] VRunout, A-side, stamped
A+M SP 5059 (RE-1) - M5 INT ⊲ 22608 EnglandRunout, A-side, hand etched
AMLH 64661.B1 MR [in a circle]Runout, B-side, stamped
A+M SP 5060 (RE-1) - M5 INT ⊲ 22608 - X EnglandRunout, B-side, hand 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4661First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GP 2053First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GP 2053First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH-64661First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4661 / A&M Records SP 4661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4661 / A&M Records SP 4661First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-5060LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4661 / A&M Records SP 4661First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP 4661 / A&M Records SP-4661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4661 / A&M Records SP 4661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | A&M Records SP-4661LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
13 vinyl pressings of Diamond Nights are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Japan. One of them is A&M Records SP-4661.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4661, SP 4661, AMLH 64661, AMLH-64661) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M SP 5059(RE-1)-P1 and A+M SP 5060(RE-1)-P1. 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.
