Vinyl pressings
by Jake Holmes · 1970
So Close, So Very Far To Go 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 7 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 POLP 80107-1A STERLING LH 1BSide A runout, variant 1
P POLP 80108-1A STERLING LH A 5Side B runout, variant 1
P PLOP 80107-1A STERLING LH A 3Side A runout, variant 2
P PLOP 80108-1A STERLING LH A 3Side B runout, variant 2
P POLP 80107-1B △15162Side A Runout Etched, variant 1
P POLP 80108-1B △15162-XSide B Runout Etched, variant 1
MR [inside circle]Runout Stamped Both Sides = Monarch Pressing
STERLING LHRunout Both Sides (STERLING stamped / LH 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Polydor 2425 036First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | Polydor 2425 036First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2425 036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Polydor 2486025First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2425 036 / Polydor 2425.036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 24 4034First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2425 036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24 4034 / Polydor 2425 036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 24 4034 / Polydor 2425 036First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Polydor 2425 036 / Polydor 24-4034First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Polydor ST-93406LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of So Close, So Very Far To Go are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor 24 4034.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 24 4034, 2425 036, 2486025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P POLP 80107-1A STERLING LH 1B and P POLP 80108-1A STERLING LH A 5. 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.
