Vinyl pressings
by Matumbi · 1978
Seven Seals was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
SHSP+4090+A MASTERED AT 'ABBEY ROAD' - NICKRunout, side A
SHSP+4090+B NICKRunout, side B
SHSP.4090ALabel, side A
SHSP.4090BLabel, side B
SHSP+4090+A MASTERED AT 'ABBEY ROAD' - NICKSide A variant 1
SHSP+4090+B NICKSide B variant 1
SHSP 4090 A-2 MASTERED AT 'ABBEY ROAD' _ NICKSide A variant 2
SHSP 4090 B-3 NICK'S CUTSide B variant 2
SHSP 4090 A-1 1 GSide A runout
SHSP 4090 B-1 1 G BORN AGAIN!!Side B runout
06789A-2Stamped in Side 1 runout:
06789B-1Stamped in Side 2 runout:
ST-1-6458-A TLC
ST-1-6458-B TLC
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Harvest SHSP-4090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Harvest ST-6458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Sonopresse 2S 068 - 06.789First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | EMI EMS-81174 / Harvest SHSP-4090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | EMI EMS-81174 / Harvest SHSP-4090First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | South Africa | Harvest SHSPJ (D) 4090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4090 / Harvest 0C 662-66789First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4090 / Harvest 0C 062-06789First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4090First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1978 | Germany | Harvest 1C 064-06 789First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Harvest SHSP 4090LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Seven Seals are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Germany, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Harvest SHSP 4090.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHSP 4090, 1C 064-06 789, SHSP-4090, ST-6458) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHSP+4090+A MASTERED AT 'ABBEY ROAD' - NICK and SHSP+4090+B NICK. 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.
