Vinyl pressings
by Peter Hammill · 1979
pH7 was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 9 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.
CAS1146 A//2 ∇E M 11 1 4Side A, variant 1
CAS 1146 B//1 ∇EM 11 11Side B, variant 1
CAS 1146 A//3 ∇E M 11 2Side A, variant 2
CAS 1146 B//1 ∇E M 11 1Side B, variant 2
CAS1146 A//2▽E M 11 2Runout A
CAS1146 B//1▽EM 12 3Runout B
CA-1-2205-AS-CP STERLINGSide A runout
CA-1-2205-BS-CP STERLINGSide B runout
CA-1-2205 ASide A label
CA-1-2205 BSide B label
CA•1•2205-AS-PRC-R-I-I-IISide A
CA•1•2205-BS-PRC-R-I-I-IISide B
STERLINGBoth sides, stamped
CA•1•2205 ALabel Side A
CA-1-2205-AS-CPSide A, etched
CA-1-2205-BS-CPSide B, etched
STERLINGBoth Sides, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Charisma 9211-1146 / Charisma CA-1-2205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Charisma 9103 129First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Charisma 9124 044First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Charisma 9124 044First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Charisma 9124 044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | Charisma 9124 044LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Portugal | Charisma 9124 044First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Charisma 9124 044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Charisma CAS 1146First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Charisma CAS 1146First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1979 | UK | Charisma CAS 1146First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Charisma CA-1-2205First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Charisma CA-1-2205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Charisma CA-1-2205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Charisma CA-1-2205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of pH7 are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Italy, Canada and more. One of them is Charisma CAS 1146.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAS 1146, CA-1-2205, 9124 044, 9211-1146) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAS1146 A//2 ∇E M 11 1 4 and CAS 1146 B//1 ∇EM 11 11. 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.
