Vinyl pressings
by Peabo Bryson · 1978
Reaching For The Sky 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.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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-1-11729 F9 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0A side runout etched, ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ stamped
ST-2-11729 F5 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOLB side runout etched, ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ stamped
ST 1-11729A side label
ST 2-11729B side label
ST 1-11729A Side Label
ST 2-11729B Side Label
ST-1-11729 F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁Side A runout
ST-2-11729 F2 #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁Side B runout
ST 1-11729Side A label
ST 2-11729Side B label
ST-1-11729 F6• 3 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPA side runout, variant 1
ST-2-11729 F3 3 MASTERED BY CAPITOLB side runout, variant 1
ST-1-11729 F6• 1 KP MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPA side runout, variant 2
ST-2-11729 F3 1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPB side runout, variant 2
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 | Australia | Capitol Records ST.11729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 85427First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-11729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Capitol Records E-ST 11729 / Capitol Records 0C 062-85 427First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records ST-11729LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | Venezuela | Capitol Records ST-463First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records ST-11729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records ST-11729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records ST-11729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records ST-11729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Reaching For The Sky are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-11729, released January 11, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-11729, E-ST 11729, ST.11729, 31C 064 85427) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-11729 F9 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0 and ST-2-11729 F5 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
