Vinyl pressings
by John Denver · 1981
Some Days Are Diamonds was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
AFL1-4055A-1S ɪ A2 RANDY'S ROOSTA side runout - variant 1
AFL1-4055B-1S ɪ RANDY'S ROOST A7B side runout - variant 1
AFL1-4055A-1S ɪ A2 RANDY'S ROOSTA side runout - variant 2
AFL1-4055B-1S ɪ RANDY'S ROOST A5 HB side runout - variant 2
AFL1-4055A-1S TSide A runout stamped
Randy's RoostSide A runout etched
A5 AFL1-4055B-1SSide B runout stamped
Randy's Roost D DSide B runout etched
RCALP 5034 A-1TUSide A runout, stamped
BILBO .TA1PESide A runout, etched
RCALP 5034 B-1TUSide B runout, stamped
BILBO .TA1PESide B runout, etched
PL84055A Side Label
PL84055B Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | RCA Victor AVI-4930First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1-4055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.4156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL1-4055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL1-4055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL1-4055 / RCA AFL1-4055First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | RCA PL 14055 / RCA Victor PL 14055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 14055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA Victor 32071-3LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA Victor 32071-3LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 14055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | RCA RPL-8074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | RCA RPL-8074First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | RCA Victor MILS-4528First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PL 14055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Some Days Are Diamonds are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Ecuador, UK & Europe and more. One of them is RCA Victor AFL1-4055, released June 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-4055, RCALP 5034, ECS-800613-2, PL 84055) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL1-4055A-1S ɪ A2 RANDY'S ROOST and AFL1-4055B-1S ɪ RANDY'S ROOST A7. 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.
