Vinyl pressings
by Oliver Onions · 1976
Sandokan 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.
32 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 10 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.
EKAS 28816 1S 1A 2Side A, runout, stamped
EKAS 28817 1S 1A 4Side B, runout, stamped
EKAS 28816Side A, label
EKAS 28817Side B, label
EKAS-2881/2 Manufactured in GermanyEtching side A
EKAS-2888 Manufactured in GermanyEtching side B
EKAS 28816 EKAS 2881Label side A
EKAS 28817 EKAS 2888Label side B
EKAS 28816 2SSide A, runout, variant 1
EKAS 28817 2SSide B, runout, variant 1
EKAS 28816 1S - 1 C 52 6Side A, runout, stamped, variant 2
EKAS 28817 1S - 1A 63 3Side B, runout, stamped, variant 2
EKAS 28816 2S 1C 9Runout area side A
EKAS 28817 2S 1A 33Runout area side B
EKAS 28816Label side A
EKAS 28817Label side B
EKAS-2881/2 Manufactured in GermanyMachine-stamped runout area side A
EKAS-2888 Manufactured in GermanyMachine-stamped runout area side B
EKAS 28 816 EKAS 2881Label side A
EKAS 28 817 EKAS 2888Label side B
EKAS 28816 4S DRunout side A, stamped
EKAS 28817 5S DRunout side B, stamped
EKAS 28816Label side A
EKAS 28817Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | RCA Victor 41AI - 2787First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Argentina | RCA Victor 41AI - 3161First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Argentina | RCA Victor 41AI - 2787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Belgium | RCA Victor YBPB O-451First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-50293First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | France | RCA Victor 42566 / RCA 42.566First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 6091 / RCA PB 6091First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 6091 / RCA PB 6091First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 6091 / RCA PB 6091First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11380 / RCA Victor TBBO-1168First year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 60917", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Italy | RCA TBBO 1168 / RCA Victor TBBO 1168First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | RCA TBBO 1168 / RCA Original Cast TBBO 1168First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | RCA TBBO 1168 / RCA Original Cast TBBO 1168First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | RCA Victor TBBO 1168First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Bolivia | RCA Victor RS - 21257", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Poland | Tonpress R-1152Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc · Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1981 | Poland | Tonpress R-1152Flexi-disc, 7", Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 7", Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Picture disc |
| 1981 | Poland | Tonpress R-1152Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Picture disc |
| 1981 | Poland | Tonpress R-1152Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc · Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
41 vinyl pressings of Sandokan are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1976 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Italy, Argentina, Belgium, France and more. One of them is RCA TBBO 1168, released October 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TBBO 1168, 41AI - 2787, 41AI - 3161, YBPB O-451) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKAS 28816 1S 1A 2 and EKAS 28817 1S 1A 4. 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.
