Vinyl pressings
by Patty Pravo · 1978
Pensiero Stupendo was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
HKAS 34032 1S SM - 1B 1 15Runout area side A
HKAS 34033 1S SM - 1A 2 16Runout area side B
HKAS 34032Label side A
HKAS 34033Label side B
HKAS 34032 1S SM 1A 9Runout area side A, variant 1
HKAS 34033 1S SM 1B 6Runout area side B, variant 1
HKAS 34032 1S SM-1A 22 15Runout area side A, variant 2
HKAS 34033 1S SM-1A-25 13Runout area side B, variant 2
HKAS 34032 1S SM 1A 9Runout area side A, variant 1
HKAS 34033 1S SM 1B 6Runout area side B, variant 1
HKAS 34032 1S SM-1A 22 15Runout area side A, variant 2
HKAS 34033 1S SM-1A-25 13Runout area side B, variant 2
HKAS 34032 3S SMRunout area side A, variant 1
HKAS 34033 3S SMRunout area side B, variant 1
HKAS 34032 3S SMRunout area side A, variant 2
HKAS 34033 4S SMRunout area side B, variant 2
HKAS 34032 1S SM 1A 1 13Runout side A
HKAS 34033 1S SM 1B 1 16Runout side B
HKAS 34032Label side A
HKAS 34033Label side B
HKAS 34032 1S SM 1A 9Runout area side A
HKAS 34033 1S SM 1B 6Runout area side B
HKAS 34032Label side A
HKAS 34033Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | France | RCA PB 6138 / RCA Victor PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 6138 / RCA PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA PB 6138 / RCA Italiana PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Spain | RCA PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Spain | RCA PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA PB 6138 / RCA Italiana PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA PB 6138 / RCA Italiana PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA PB 6138 / RCA Italiana PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA PB 6138 / RCA Italiana PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA PB 6138 / RCA Italiana PB 6138First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Italy | RCA Italiana PB 6138 / Sony Music PB 61387", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single · Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of Pensiero Stupendo are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1978 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Italy, France, Germany, Spain. One of them is RCA PB 6138, released January 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB 6138) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HKAS 34032 1S SM - 1B 1 15 and HKAS 34033 1S SM - 1A 2 16. 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.
