Vinyl pressings
by Ken Hensley · 1973
Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 12 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 9223 A-1A-Side Runout, stamped - variant 1
ILPS 9223 B-1B-Side Runout, stamped - variant 1
ILPS 9223 A-1 RD 1A-Side Runout, stamped - variant 2
ILPS 9223 B-1 GA 1B-Side Runout, stamped - variant 2
SRM-1-661A-CP2 MS G.K.Side A runout, variant 1
SRM-1-661B-CP3 MS G.K.Side B runout, variant 1
SRM-1-661A-CP2 MS A1 G.K.Side A runout, variant 2
SRM-1-661B-CP2 MS A1 G.K.Side B runout, variant 2
SRM-1-661A-PR1Side A runout, stamped
SRM-1-661B-PR1Side B runout, stamped
MS G.K. PRBoth sides runout, etched
SRM-1-661A-PR1 MS II-I G.K. PRRunout A, variant 1
SRM-1-661B-PR1 MS-II-II G.K. PRRunout B, variant 1
SRM-1-661A-PR1 MS II-II G.K. D PRRunout A, variant 2
SRM-1-661B-PR1 MS-II-I G.K. D PRRunout B, variant 2
SRM-1-661A-CS5 MS 1 G.K. A2Side A runout
SRM-1-661B-CS5 MS S 1 G.K. A 4Side B runout
SRM-1-661A-CS4 MS 1 G.K. A4Side A runout
SRM-1-661B-CS4 MS 1 G.K. A2Side B runout
SRM-1-661B-PR1MS G.K. PRSide 2 runout
SRM-1-661A-PR1MS G.K. PRSide 1 runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Mercury SRM 1-661 / Bronze SRM 1-661First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | Island Records 6396 025First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records 86 644 IT / Bronze 86 644 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Bronze 86 644 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19223First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19223 / Bronze ILPS 19223First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Bronze YZ-11-BZFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Bronze 6357 221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Singapore & Malaysia | Island Records ILPS 9223 / Island Records ILPS 9223First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 9223First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Bronze 86.664-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Bronze 86.644-l / Island Records 86.444-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Bronze ILPS 9223 / Bronze ILPS-9223First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Bronze ILPS 9223LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Mercury SRM 1-661 / Bronze SRM 1-661First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2744 / Sanctuary MOVLP2744LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2744 / Sanctuary MOVLP2744LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2744 / Sanctuary MOVLP2744LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Bronze 28770 ETLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Bronze 28 770 ETLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Bronze 28 770 ET / Bronze 86 644 ITLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Bronze 86 644 ITLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | Bronze 27 237 XATLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Bronze BRNA 223LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Bronze BRNA 223 / Bronze 2409 311LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Bronze BRNA 223LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of Proud Words On A Dusty Shelf are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1973 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Bronze ILPS 9223.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9223, SRM 1-661, YZ-11-BZ, 6357 221) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9223 A-1 and ILPS 9223 B-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.
