Vinyl pressings
by New Birth · 1972
Birth Day was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 5 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.
BPRS 6639 4S dh I B1Side A runout stamped, dh etched -Variant 1
BPRS 6640 3S I A1 dhSide B runout stamped, dh etched -Variant 1
BPRS 6639 4S dh I A1Side A runout stamped, dh etched -Variant 2
BPRS 6640 3S I A3 dhSide B runout stamped,dh etched -Variant 2
BPRS 6639 1S φ M HSide A, stamped except φ
BPRS 6640 1S φ HSide B, stamped except φ
BPRS-6639A-Side Label
BPRS-6640B-Side Label
BPRS-6639 DT.Runout etched side A
BPRS-6640 DT.Runout etched side B
(BPRS-6639)Label side A
(BPRS-6640)Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-4797First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Jamaica | RCA Victor LSP-4797 / RCA Victor PK 2079First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | RCA RCA-6096First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Panama | RCA Victor LSP-4797First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | South Korea | Yegrin K1012LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4797First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4797First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP-4797 / RCA Victor LSP 4797LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Not On LabelLP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1973 | UK | RCA Victor SF 8368 / RCA SF 8368LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Greece | RCA Victor LSP-4797 / RCA Victor YEPL1 248LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | RCA Victor ANL1-2145LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Birth Day are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1972 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada, Jamaica, Panama and more. One of them is RCA Victor LSP-4797.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSP-4797, RCA-6096) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BPRS 6639 4S dh I B1 and BPRS 6640 3S I A1 dh. 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.
