Vinyl pressings
by Michael Martin Murphey · 1975
Swans Against The Sun was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, 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 T1 P AL 33851-1E ASide A runout, Variant 1
P BL 33851-1C 1T ASide B runout, Variant 1
o P AL 33851-1C \T A3Side A runout, Variant 2
T2 P BL 33851-1E A3Side B runout, Variant 2
P AL 33851-1B S1 B6A Side Stamp
P BL 33851-1H S2 C1B Side Stamp
P P AL 33851-1D ASide A stamped, variant 1
P PBL 33851-1J D1Side B etched, P, D1 stamped, variant 1
P P AL 33851-1D 1 BSide A stamped, variant 2
P PBL 33851-1D DSide B stamped, variant 2
QAL 33851Side 1 Label
QBL 33851Side 2 Label
EPC-S 69224-A1Side 1
EPC-S 69224-B1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Epic ELPS 3744 / Epic PE 33851First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Epic KE 33851First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Europe | Epic EPC 69224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Epic ECPO-81First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | CBS/Sony ECPO-81First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | Epic KSF 7034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Epic EPC 69224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Epic PE 33851First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Epic PE 33851First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Epic PE 33851First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Epic PE 33851First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Epic PEQ 33851First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | Spain | Epic EPC 81272LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic PE 33851LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Swans Against The Sun are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic PE 33851.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PE 33851, PEQ 33851, EPC 69224, ELPS 3744) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o T1 P AL 33851-1E A and P BL 33851-1C 1T A. 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.
