Vinyl pressings
by Jake Holmes · 1970
So Close 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.
9 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 5 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.
p(stamped, inverted) POL 30123(etched)A side deadwax variant 1
p(stamped, inverted) POL 30124 RE-1(etched)B side deadwax variant 1
STERLING 3Stamped onto deadwax on both sides
P POL 30123 STERLING A3A side runout variant 2
POL 30123A Side Label
POL 30124B Side Label
p POL 30123 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
p POL 30124 RE-1 STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
POL 30123A-Side Label
POL 30124B-Side Label
POL 30123 MR Δ81983 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
POL 30124 RE-1 MR Δ81983-X STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
POL 30123A-Side Label
POL 30124B-Side Label
2066040 A//1Runout (Stamped) Side A
2066040 B//1Runout (Stamped) Side B
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 | Australia | Polydor 2066 048First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2066 048First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2066 048First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Polydor 2066 048First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Polydor PD 2-14041First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Polydor PD 2-14041First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2066 040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Polydor PD 2-14041First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Polydor PD 2-14041First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Brazil | Polydor 2176.0157", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor 2066 0407", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Polydor 2066 0407", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of So Close are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor PD 2-14041, released August 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 2-14041, 2066 040, 2066 048) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p(stamped, inverted) POL 30123(etched) and p(stamped, inverted) POL 30124 RE-1(etched). 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.
