Vinyl pressings
by Linda Ronstadt · 1970
Silk Purse was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. 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 1970, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ST 1 407-4Z ◁ ✲ LH STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
ST 2 407-3Z -◁ ✲ LH STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
ST 1 407-4Z- 1J ✲ STERLING LHRunout side A, variant 2
ST 2 407-4Z -1 (scratched out number and symbol) ✲ STERLING LH/RL"Runout side B, variant 2
ST 1 407-6Z IAM STERLING RL / LHSide A runout, IAM in triangle Scranton logo
ST 2 407-6Z #2 IAM STERLING LHSide A runout, IAM in triangle Scranton logo
ST1 407-Z1 LHSide A runout, etched
ST2 407-Z1 LHSide B runout, etched
STERLING 0Side A and B runout, stamped
ST1 407 - 4Z• ⥛ ✲ STERLING LHRunout side A, variant 1
ST(2 over 1) 407 -3Z• ⥛ ✲ STERLING LHRunout side B, variant 1
ST 1 407-8Z #2 —◁ LH/RL STERLINGSide A - etched exc. STERLING stamped
ST 2 407-8Z #2 —◁ LH/RL STERLINGSide B - etched exc. STERLING stamped
ST 1-407Label side A - in parentheses
ST 2-407Label side B - in parentheses
ST1 407-Z1 LHSide A runout, etched
ST2 407-Z1 LHSide B runout, etched
STERLING 0Side A and B runout, stamped
ST1 407 F5 #2Variant 1 Side 2 etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-407First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | Capitol Records ECP-80514First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Capitol Records ST-407First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Capitol Records ST-407 / Capitol Records ST-8-0407LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1970 | US | Capitol Records ST-407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Capitol Records ST-407First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Capitol Records ST-407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Capitol Records ST-407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Capitol Records ST-407First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Capitol Records E-ST 407 / Capitol Records 1E 062 ○ 80451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records ST-407LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records ST-500407 / Capitol Records ST 500407LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1975 | Taiwan | Giant TD-1595LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Varèse Vintage 302 067 357 1 / Capitol Records 302 067 357 1LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records VMP.1020LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SN-16131LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records ST-407LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 038 EVC 80 451 / Crystal 038 EVC 80 451LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 038 EVC 80 451LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 038-80451LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 038-80451LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 038-80451LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16131LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-407LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-407LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-407LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-407LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-407LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-407LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
38 vinyl pressings of Silk Purse are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1970 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-407, released March 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-407, E-ST 407, ECP-80514) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST 1 407-4Z ◁ ✲ LH STERLING and ST 2 407-3Z -◁ ✲ LH STERLING. 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.
