Vinyl pressings
by Joe Cocker · 1982
Sheffield Steel was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 18 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.
ILPS 9700 A-2U-1-1-15 STERLING ILPS 9700 A-1Runout Side A , 2U Matrix stamped, A-1 Matrix etched
ILPS 9700 B-1U Sound Clinic 1Runout Side B , 1U Matrix stamped, Sound clinic etched
ILPS 9700-ASide A label
ILPS 9700-BSide B label
ILPS 9700 A-1U JONZ C1Side A, runout, etched
ILPS 9700 B-2U-1-2-8 STERLING ILPS 9700Side B, runout, etched [STERLING and last ILPS 9700 etched]
STIL 824939 - A SP 0-1 SM2-2 (EDP)M1 STERLING TJSide A runout - variant 1
STIL 824940 - C (EDP)M1 0-1 SM 1-1 STERLING TJ LPMCSide B runout - variant 1
STIL 824939 - A SP 0-1 SM1-1 (EDP)M1 STERLING TJSide A runout - variant 2
STIL 824940 - C (EDP)M1 0-1 SM 2-1 STERLING TJ LPMCSide B runout - variant 2
STIL 824939 - A + △1779 (1) M1SF1SM2 TJ B-16840-AEtched, Side One
STIL 824940 - C + △1779-X-(1) M1SF1SM1 TJ LPMC B-16841-CEtched, Side Two
STERLINGStamped, Sides One & Two
EDP (in a circle)Stamped, Sides One & Two
012 6313358 1 380 POLYGRAMVariant 1: runout side A, stamped
012 6313358 2 380 POLYGRAMVariant 1: runout side B, stamped
012 6313358 1 380 POLYGRAM A15Variant 2: runout side A, stamped
012 6313358 2 380 POLYGRAM A15Variant 2: runout side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Liberation Records LIB 5011LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Australia | Liberation Records LIB 5011 / Liberation Records LIB-5011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9750First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 668 / Island Records 204 668-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 668-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 668 / Island Records 204 668-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Island Records 6313 358First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Island Records 14C 062-64883First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Island Records VG 71472LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19700First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Casablanca 25S-142First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Mexico | Island Records LA-481LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Mexico | Island Records MLM-5384First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Liberation Records LIB 5011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-223LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP540LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISM- 9750LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISM- 9750LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 204 668LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 204 668LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Island Records VG 71472LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Island Records ORL 19700LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Island Records I-204 668 / Island Records 5B 204668LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of Sheffield Steel are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1982 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, France, Australia and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9700.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9700, IL 9750, 6313 358, LIB 5011) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9700 A-2U-1-1-15 STERLING ILPS 9700 A-1 and ILPS 9700 B-1U Sound Clinic 1. 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.
