Vinyl pressings
by Off Broadway USA · 1979
On was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, 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.
ST-A-799419-B STERLING 0-1SM1-2Variant 1 Side A etched, Sterling stamped
ST-A-799420-B STERLING 0-1SM1-2Variant 1 Side B etched, Sterling stamped
STA-799419-B STERLING 0-1SM1-3Variant 2 Side A etched, Sterling stamped
STA-799420-B STERLING 0-1SM1-3Variant 2 Side B etched, Sterling stamped
STA-794419-B MO △24654 ① STERLINGRunout variant 1, side A
STA-794420-B MO △24654-X ② STERLINGRunout variant 1, side B
ST-A-794419-E MO 24654 STERLINGRunout variant 2, side A
ST-A-794420-E MO 24564-X STERLINGRunout variant 2, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Atlantic QSD 19263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 695First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | Atlantic 50695First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | Atlantic 50695LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Japan | Atlantic P-10796AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Atlantic SD 19263First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Atlantic SD 19263LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | US | Atlantic SD 19263First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | Atlantic W 50695LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Atlantic W 50695LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of On are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Canada, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 19263.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 19263, QSD 19263, ATL 50 695, 50695) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-799419-B STERLING 0-1SM1-2 and ST-A-799420-B STERLING 0-1SM1-2. 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.
