Vinyl pressings
by Marlena Shaw · 1977
Sweet Beginnings was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
o Tl PAL-34458 1-F Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL BllVariant 1 A Side Runout
Tl o PBL-34458 1-E Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL CVariant 1 B Side Runout
o Tl PAL-34458 1-F Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL C 8Variant 2 A Side Runout
Tl PBL-34458 1-F Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL C 1 oVariant 2 B Side Runout
p PAL-34458 1-C Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL A 2A-Side Runout Etching
p PBL-34458 1-D Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL B 4B-Side Runout Etching
AL 34458Side 1 Label
BL 34458Side 2 Label
PAL-34458 1-D Why MASTERED AT CAPITOLA Side Runout Groove
PBL-34458 1-D Why MASTERED AT CAPITOLB Side Runout Groove
AL 34458A Side Label
BL 34458B Side Label
1S PAL-34458 1-B Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL B AEtched in runout, Side A
1S PBL-34458 1-B Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL A 1SEtched in runout, Side B
AL 34458Printed on label, Side A
BL 34458Printed on label, Side B
PAL-34458 1-D Wly MASTERED AT CAPITOLA side runout, variant 1
PBL-34458 1-D Wly MASTERED AT CAPITOLB side runout, variant 1
TI o PAL-34458 1-E Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL ΛA side runout, variant 2
o TI PBL-34458 1-F Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL 2 ΛB side runout, variant 2
CBS-S-81844-A1Side A runout, etched
CBS-S-81844-B1Side B runout, etched
PC 34458Both labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 237039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PC 34458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | CBS CBS 81844First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 363First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Philippines | CBS/Sony LP-1187 / CBS/Sony 25AP 363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | CBS S 81844First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34458First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | CBS PC 34458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34458First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34458First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34458First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 81844First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Columbia PC 34458 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP1645LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
13 vinyl pressings of Sweet Beginnings are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1977 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia PC 34458, released March 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 34458, S CBS 81844, SBP 237039, CBS 81844) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o Tl PAL-34458 1-F Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL Bll and Tl o PBL-34458 1-E Wly MASTERED BY CAPITOL 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.
