Vinyl pressings
by Oregon · 1973
Distant Hills was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
VSD79341A-1BRunout A-side, variant 1
VSD79341B-1CRunout B-side, variant 1
VSD79341A-1DRunout A-side, variant 2
VSD79341B-1ERunout B-side, variant 2
VSQ-40031-A-1ARunout Side A stamped
VSQ-40031-B-1ARunout Side B stamped
VSD79341A-1BSide A runout
VSD79341B-1CSide B runout
VSD 79341 A-1△GRunout Side A
VSD 79341 B-1△GRunout Side B
VSD 79341-ALabel Side A
VSD 79341-BLabel Side B
VSD-79341-ALabel side A
VSD-79341-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Vanguard VSD • 79341 / Vanguard VSD-79341First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Vanguard SVAL 33036First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Vanguard SR-3179First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Vanguard VSD 79341First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Vanguard VSQ-40031First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | Vanguard VSD • 79341 / Vanguard VSD-79341First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Vanguard VSD-79341First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Vanguard VAC-79341First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Vanguard VSD 79341 / Vanguard VSD ● 79341LP, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1976 | US | Vanguard VSD • 79341 / Vanguard VSD-79341LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Vanguard VSD • 79341 / Vanguard VSD-79341LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-514LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| 1987 | Italy | Vanguard SVAL 33036LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Vanguard VSD ● 79341 / Vanguard VSD 79341LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Vanguard VSD 79377 / Universe UV 007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Distant Hills are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1973 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Vanguard VSD • 79341.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VSD • 79341, VAC-79341, VSQ-40031, VSD-79341) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VSD79341A-1B and VSD79341B-1C. 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.
