Vinyl pressings
by John Miles · 1976
Stranger In The City was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 16 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.
ZAL 14987.P-2WRunout Side A (variant 1)
ZAL 14988.P-2WRunout Side B (variant 1)
ZAL-14987.P-4W AG 2BRunout Side A (variant 2)
ZAL-14988.P-2W HH 2BRunout Side B (variant 2)
ZAL 14987.P-2W 11 11Runout side A, variant 1
ZAL 14988.P-1W 11 ARunout side B, variant 1
ZAL 14987.P-3W U A 2 DRunout side A, variant 2
ZAL 14988.P-4W K U 1Runout side B, variant 2
GL 1895 - ZAL 14987Runout Side A
GL 1895 - ZAL 14988Runout Side B
GL 1895. ZAL 14987 (A)Label A
GL 1895. ZAL 14988 (B)Label B
ZAL 1498 7 RE-1 F/W NYEtching Side A
ZAL - 14988 RE-1 F/W BB STEtching Side B
ZAL 14987 BWSide A center label
ZAL 14988 BWSide B center label
T 1 ZAL 14987 RE-1 F/W N.Y.Variant 1: A-Side Runout, Etched
T1 ZAL - 14988-1 FWOVariant 1: B-Side Runout, Etched
° T1 ZAL 14987-RE-1 F/W N.Y. BVariant 2: A-Side Runout, Etched
T1 ZAL-14988-2 B3Variant 2: B-Side Runout, Etched
ZAL 14987 W FwchA-Side Runout, Etched
ZAL 14988 W FwchB-Side Runout, Etched
ZAL 14987 WLabel A-Side
ZAL 14988 WLabel B-Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Unknown | Decca GL 1895First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | Decca TXS 118First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Belgium | Decca 143.004 yFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | London Records XLLN 7324First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | London Records PS 682 / London Records PS. 682First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | London Records PS 682 / London Records PS. 682First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1976 | France | Decca 278.131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | Decca SGLK 045 / Decca DECCA 045First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Israel | PAX ISK.1154First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Decca TXSI 118First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Decca TXSI 118LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Decca TXS 118First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Decca TXS 118First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Portugal | Decca PTXSR 118First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Rhodesia | Decca GL 1895First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | London Records PS 682 / London Records PS. 682LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of Stranger In The City are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Decca TXS 118.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TXS 118, GL 1895, PS 682, 143.004 y) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL 14987.P-2W and ZAL 14988.P-2W. 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.
