Vinyl pressings
by Pablo Cruise · 1977
A Place In The Sun was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 11 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.
T1 SP-4987-T2 TML-MA-Side etch exc “TML-M” stamp, variant 1
T1 SP-4988 T-1 TML-SB-Side etch exc “TML-S” stamp, variant 1
T1 SP-4987-T2 TML-M A2A-Side etch exc “TML-M” stamp, variant 2
T1 TLM-M SP4988-T2 A7B-Side etch exc “TML-M” stamp, variant 2
TML-MStamped On Both Sides
"MR" within a circleStamped On Both Sides
SP4987 - M-1 △ 21988 (1)A-Side Etched
SP-4988-M-1 △ 21988-X (1)B-Side Etched
SP 4987 P-1 TML-M PRunout side A, etched [exc. TML-M, P stamped], variant 1
SP 4988 P-2 P TML-SRunout side B, etched [exc. P, TML-S stamped], variant 1
SP4987 P-1 2 A TML-M pRunout side A, etched [exc. 2 A, TML-M p stamped], variant 2
SP 4988 P-2 1A p TML-SRunout side B, etched [exc. 1A, p TML-S stamped], variant 2
SP4987 - M-1 (MR) △ 21988 TML-MA-Side Etched, Variant 1
SP4988-M-2 (MR) △ 21988-X (8) TML-MB-Side Etched, Variant 1
SP4988̸7 M-2 (MR) △ 21988 (4) TML-MA-Side Etched, Variant 2
SP-4988-M-1 (MR) △ 21988-X (9) TML-MB-Side Etched, Variant 2
1S SP-4987 CRC1 G22Variant 1 Side 1 runout
T2 SP-4988 T3 TML-M B6Variant 1 Side 2 runout
T1 SP-4988 T2 TML-M A1Variant 2 Side 1 runout
XS1 AM SP 4988 CRC1 C1Variant 2 Side 2 runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | A&M Records 6649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | A&M Records L 36178First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | A&M Records SA&M 2203 / A&M Records SA&M-2203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4625First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4625First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 64625First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GP-2049First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 36178First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64625First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64625First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64625First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64625First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4625First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4625First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records R 133941LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-029LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 1986 | Japan | A&M Records C25Y3125LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
26 vinyl pressings of A Place In The Sun are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1977 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4625.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4625, SP-3236, AMLH 64625, 6649) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 SP-4987-T2 TML-M and T1 SP-4988 T-1 TML-S. 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.
