Vinyl pressings
by Maria Muldaur · 1976
Sweet Harmony 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.
17 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 8 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.
K 54059 A2 A OSide A runout, variant 1
K 54059 B1 A CSide B runout, variant 1
K-54059-A1 1 3 ASide A runout, variant 2
K-54059-B1 1 6 ASide B runout, variant 2
MS-2238-319381B T1Side A Etched, variant 1
MS-2235 31939-1A T1Side B Stamped, variant 1
DSide A Etched, variant 1
BSide B Stamped, variant 1
I S MS-2235 31938-1A A6A-Side Etched
I S MS-2235 31939-1A B 3B-Side Etched
31,938A-Side Label
31,939B-Side Label
MS-2235 31938-1-WB —◁A-Side Etched
MS-2235 31939-1-WB —◁B-Side Etched
31,938A-Side Label
31,939B-Side Label
MS-2235 31938-1-1•W-1 1 ✲Side A Etched, 1 ✲ stamped
MS-2235 31939-1-2•W-1 1 ✲Side B Etched, 1 ✲ stamped
31,938Side A Label
31,939Side B Label
P MS-2235- 31938-1C "웃" DRunout side A, variant 1
P MS-2235- 31939-1C "웃" CRunout side B, variant 1
P MS-2235 31938-1BRunout side A, variant 2
P MS-2235 - 31939-1B "웃" A 5Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Reprise Records MS 2235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Reprise Records W 54059First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | Japan | Reprise Records P-10164RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Reprise Records P-10164RFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Reprise Records REP 54059 / Reprise Records MS-2235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Reprise Records MS-2235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Reprise Records K54059 / Reprise Records K 54059First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2235LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Sweet Harmony are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Reprise Records K54059.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K54059, MS 2235, W 54059, P-10164R) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 54059 A2 A O and K 54059 B1 A C. 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.
