Vinyl pressings
by Phil Upchurch · 1972
Darkness, Darkness was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, 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.
BTS·6005 T1 5995-1 [Artisan logo] A2Side A runout, variant 1
BTS-6005 T1 5996-2 [Artisan logo] A6Side B runout, variant 1
BTS-6005 T1 5997-1 [Artisan logo] A4Side C runout, variant 1
BTS-6005 5998-2 [Artisan logo] A9 T1Side D runout, variant 1
[Artisan drumstick logo]All sides stamped
S1 BTS - 6005 5995 -1A ASide A runout etched
S1 BTS - 6005 5996 -1A A3Side B runout etched
S1 BTS - 6005 5997 -1A B2Side C runout etched
d BTS-6005 5995 [Artisan Sound logo] 2ASide A runout
d BTS-6005 5996 [Artisan Sound logo] BSide B runout
BTS-6005 5997 [Artisan Sound logo] 51Side C runout
BTS-6005 5998 [Artisan Sound logo] ASide D runout
P BTS-6005 5995 [Artisan Sound logo] A1Side A runout
P BTS-6005 5996 [Artisan Sound logo]Side B runout
BTS-6005 P 5997 [Artisan Sound logo]Side C runout
P BTS-6005 5998 [Artisan Sound logo]Side D runout
S1 BTS - 6005 5995 -1A [Artisan logo]Side A runout
S1 BTS - 6005 5996 -1A [Artisan logo]Side B runout
S1 BTS - 6005 5997 -1A [Artisan logo]Side C runout
S1 BTS - 6005 5998 -1A [Artisan logo]Side D runout
ILPS 9219 A1URunout A
ILPS 9219 B1URunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | France | Blue Thumb Records BT. 10012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Blue Thumb Records 89 641 XTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | South Africa | Blue Thumb Records BTIN 100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Blue Thumb Records ILPS 9219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6005First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SJET-9548~9LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ABC Blue Thumb BTS 6005LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | Germany | Blue Thumb Records 89 642 XBT / Ariola 89 642 XBTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | Germany | Blue Thumb Records 89 642 XBT / Ariola 89 642 XBTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Blue Thumb YW-8043~4-AULP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Darkness, Darkness are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1972 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, France, Germany and more. One of them is Blue Thumb Records BTS 6005.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTS 6005, ILPS 9219, BT. 10012, 89 641 XT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BTS·6005 T1 5995-1 [Artisan logo] A2 and BTS-6005 T1 5996-2 [Artisan logo] A6. 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.
