Vinyl pressings
by Mike Pinder · 1976
The Promise 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.
16 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
THS-18-XZAL-14272-RE-P-3 ② KENDUN -B- G 1 -RJM- LM♡ ⊕A side runout, etched/stamped
THS-18-XZAL-14273-P-2 ① KENDUN -B- G 1 -RJM- LM♡ ⊕B side runout, etched/stamped
XZAL-14272.P-4WA side runout, stamped
XZAL-14273.P-4WB side runout, stamped
THS-18-XZAL-14272-RE-1 - AH2 PP KENDUN -B- -RJM-⨂ LM(heart)Side A Runout
THS-18-XZAL-14273-RE-1 - AH2 PP KENDUN -B- -RJM-⨂ LM(heart)Side B Runout
XZAL 14272Side A Label
XZAL 14273Side B Label
THS-18-XZAL-14272-RE-1 - AH2 W KENDUN -B- -RJM-⨂ LM (Heart Symbol)Side A Runout
THS-18-XZAL-14273-RE-1 - AH2 W KENDUN -B- -RJM-⨂ LM (Heart Symbol)Side B Runout
XZAL 14272 WSide A Label
IS THS-18-XZAL-14272-RE-1 (3) KENDUN -RJM- ⊕ B LMYSide 1
IS THS-18-XZAL-14273-RE-1 (4) KENDUN -RJM- ⊕ B LMYSide 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 | Threshold THS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Threshold THS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Threshold 278114First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Threshold 6.22498First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Israel | PAX ISK 1145 / PAX ISK. 1145First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | Threshold THSI 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Threshold GP 1025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Threshold THS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Portugal | Threshold P-THS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | Threshold TXS 3046First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Spain | Threshold TXS 3046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Threshold THS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Threshold THS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Threshold THS 18LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | Threshold THS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of The Promise are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Threshold THS 18.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use THS 18, 278114, 6.22498, ISK 1145) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, THS-18-XZAL-14272-RE-P-3 ② KENDUN -B- G 1 -RJM- LM♡ ⊕ and THS-18-XZAL-14273-P-2 ① KENDUN -B- G 1 -RJM- LM♡ ⊕. 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.
