Vinyl pressings
by Jon Lord · 1982
Before I Forget 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.
11 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 9 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.
SHSP 4123 A-1-1-Runout stamped A side, variant 1
SHSP 4123 B-1-1-Runout stamped B side, variant 1
SHSP 4123 A-2-1-1-1Runout stamped A side, variant 2
SHSP 4123 B-1-1-1Runout stamped B side, variant 2
TSH SP-4123-A 1SRunout Side A
TSH SP-4123-B 1S2Runout Side B
64803-A 1-1-1 = 8Side A - Etched
64803-BR2 3-1-1 = 1Side B - Etched
64803-A1Side A runout, variant 1
64803-B1Side B runout, variant 1
64803-A1 1Side A runout, variant 2
64803-B1 1Side B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Harvest SHSP 4123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Harvest 31C 064 64803First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Harvest 1C 064-64 803 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-64 803First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | EMI EMS-81516First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Portugal | Harvest 11C 078-64803First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | Harvest 10C 064-064.803 / Odeon 10C 064-064.803First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | Harvest 10C 064-064.803 / Odeon 10C 064-064.803First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4123 / Harvest 0C 062-64 803First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Venezuela | Harvest 102-25025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Zimbabwe | Harvest SHSP 4123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | EMI EMS-81516First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | South Korea | Harvest SHSP 4123LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Before I Forget are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Japan, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Harvest SHSP 4123.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHSP 4123, EMS-81516, 31C 064 64803, 1C 064-64 803) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHSP 4123 A-1-1- and SHSP 4123 B-1-1-. 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.
