Vinyl pressings
by Peter Hammill · 1980
A Black Box was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
PHS 1 A//2 ▽E M 11 5Side A, stamped - Variant 1
PHS 1 B//2 ▽E M 11 4Side B, stamped - Variant 1
PHS 1 A//2 ▽E M 11 5Side A, stamped - Variant 2
PHS 1 B//2 ▽E M 11 2Side B, stamped - Variant 2
10 AA6302067 1Y 320 1BRunout side A, variant 1
10 AA6302067 2Y 320 1ERunout side B, variant 1
10 AA6302067 1Y 320 1IRunout side A, variant 2
10 AA6302067 2Y 320 1GRunout side B, variant 2
6302 067 A 520 1310 80 ∇Runout side A, stamped
6302 067 B 520 ∇Runout side B, stamped
6302 067.1Label side A
6302 067.2Label side B
6302 067 A 520 1310 80Runout side A, stamped
6302 067 B 520Runout side B, stamped
6302 067.1Label side A
6302 067.2Label side B
6302 067 XX 1Y 1 ℗1980 670 06 117Runout side A, stamped - Variant 1
6302 067 XX 2Y 1 ℗1980 670 06 116Runout side B, stamped - Variant 1
6302 067 XX 1Y 1 ℗1980 670 06 114Runout side A, stamped - Variant 2
6302 067 XX 2Y 1 ℗1980 670 06 114Runout side B, stamped - Variant 2
6302 067 XX 1Y 1 ℗1980 670 06 113Runout side A, variant 1
6302 067 XX 2Y 1 ℗1980 670 06 113Runout side B, variant 1
6302 067 XX 1Y 1 ℗1980 670 06 112Runout side A, variant 2
6302 067 2Y 1 ℗1980 670 06 112Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6302 067 / S-Type Records 6302 067First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | S-Type Records 6302 067 / Mercury 6302 067First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | S-Type Records 6302 067 / Mercury 6302 067First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Mercury 6302 067 / S-Type Records 6302 067First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Mercury 6302 067 / S-Type Records 6302 067First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Mercury 63 02 067First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | S-Type Records PHS 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Mercury 6302 067LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Virgin OVED 140LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Greece | Mercury 6302 067LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 6302 067 / S-Type Records 6302 067LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Mercury 63 02 067LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of A Black Box are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1980 and 2006.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and more. One of them is S-Type Records PHS 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PHS 1, 6302 067, 63 02 067) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHS 1 A//2 ▽E M 11 5 and PHS 1 B//2 ▽E M 11 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.
