Vinyl pressings
by Leo Sayer · 1973
Silverbird 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 11 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.
CHR 1050 A-2U RUA side stamped. Variant 1
CHR 1050 B-2U ADB side stamped. Variant 1
CHR 1050 A-2U RP 1A side stamped. Variant 2
CHR 1050 B-2U OAB side stamped. Variant 2
CHR 1050 A7 MA side runout, stamped
PORKY + MELVINA side runout, etched
CHR 1050 B7 MB side runout, stamped
PECKO - MELOB side runout, etched
CHR 1050 A-2U C 1A-Side [Stamped]
CHR 1050 B-2U C 1B-Side [Stamped]
BS2738 B̶S̶-̶2̶7̶8̶3̶ 40588-1>XSide A etched, variant 1
BS2738 B̶S̶-̶2̶7̶8̶3̶ 40589-1 >Side B etched, variant 1
p BS2738 B̶S̶-̶2̶7̶8̶3̶ 40588-1>X 1ASide A etched [exc. p, 1A stamped], variant 2
p BS2738 B̶S̶-̶2̶7̶8̶3̶ 40589-1 > 1ASide B etched [exc. p, 1A stamped], variant 2
TI.BS-2738 40588-1 >I ARunout Side A: etched except A lightly stamped,, 2783 scratched out, 2738 faintly etched right after
TI BS.2738 - 40589-2-I A8Runout Side B: etched except A lightly stamped
S1 BS2738(Scratched out character) 40588-1B A6Side A Etched
(Sideways S) BS2738 (Upside Down 2) B̶S̶-̶2̶7̶8̶3̶ - 40589-1B A4Side B etched
S40,588Side A label
S40,589Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Chrysalis L-35,003 / Chrysalis CHR.1050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2738First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2738LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | France | Chrysalis CHR 1050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 521First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Italy | Chrysalis 040 1050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Chrysalis 6307 526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Chrysalis CHR.1050First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Chrysalis CHR.1050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 6307 521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 35003 / Chrysalis (CHR 1050)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Chrysalis CHR.1050 / Chrysalis CHR 1050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1050First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | Chrysalis 202 739-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | UK | Demon Records DEMREC 580LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2023 | UK | Demon Records DEMREC1143LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Chrysalis CHR.1050LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | France | Chrysalis 6307 526LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Chrysalis 51-1050LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1050LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2738LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
36 vinyl pressings of Silverbird are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1973 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR.1050, released December 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR.1050, CHR 1050, BS 2738, BS 2138) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1050 A-2U RU and CHR 1050 B-2U AD. 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.
