Vinyl pressings
by Joe Simon · 1972
Drowning In The Sea Of Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, 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.
Spring SPR-5702A -1B-1-1 F/W PR [reverse D]Side 1 runout
Spring SPR-5702B -1B-1-1 F/W PR [reverse D]Side 2 runout
SPR 5702 ASide 1 label
SPR 5702 BSide 2 label
Spring SPR-5702A-1A'' MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA: [IAM stamp]Runout A, etched, stamped
Spring SPR-5702B- 1A'' #3 [IAM stamp] F/WRunout B, etched, stamped
(SPR-5702 A)Label A
(SPR-5702 B)Label B
SPR 5702-A F/W Δ16804Side A label
SPR 5702-B F/W Δ16804-XSide B label
Spring SPR-5702A - 1A" MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. IAMA-Side Runout Etching
Spring SPR-5702B - 1A" IAM F/WB-Side Runout Etching
Spring SPR-5702-A -1C F/W △16804Runout Side A [Etched]
SpringSPR-5702-B -1C F/W △16804-X (2)Runout Side B [Etched]
SPR 5702-ALabel Side A
SPR 5702-BLabel Side B
Spring SPR 5702 A - IB-I-III F/WRunout side A, etched, variant 1
Spring SPR 5702 B - IB-I-II F/WRunout side B, etched, variant 1
Spring SPR 5702A - IB-I-I F/WRunout side A, etched, variant 2
Spring SPR 5702B - IB-I-I F/WRunout side B, etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Barbados | Spring Records SPR-5702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Spring Records SPR 5702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Mojo 2918 003First yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | US | Spring Records SPR 5702 / Spring Records 2391 026First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Spring Records SPR 5702 / Spring Records 2391 026First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Spring Records SPR 5702 / Spring Records SPR - 5702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Spring Records SPR 5702 / Spring Records 2391 026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Spring Records SPR 5702 / Spring Records 2391 026First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Spring Records SPR-5702First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1972 | US | Spring Records SPR 5702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Spring Records SPR 5702 / Spring Records 2391 026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Spring Records SPR 5702 / Spring Records 2391 026LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor 2482 278 / Polydor 2482-278LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Southbound SEW 021LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Drowning In The Sea Of Love are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1972 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Barbados, Canada. One of them is Spring Records SPR 5702.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPR 5702, SPR-5702, 2918 003) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Spring SPR-5702A -1B-1-1 F/W PR [reverse D] and Spring SPR-5702B -1B-1-1 F/W PR [reverse D]. 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.
