Vinyl pressings
by Pointer Sisters · 1978
Fire 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.
32 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 13 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.
PS-45901-A-SP [SRC LOGO] TML-SRunout Side A, etched [stamped: TML-S] variant 1
PS-45901-B-SP [SRC LOGO] TML-ZRunout Side A, etched [stamped: TML-Z] variant 1
PS 45901-A ̷6̷8̷ - SP TML-M 1-1Runout side A, etched, except [TML-M] stamped variant 2
PS-45901-B-SP SRC TML-Z 1-5Runout side B, etched, except [SRC logo TML-Z] stamped variant 2
PS-45901-A-SPSide A [Etched]
PS-45901-B-SPSide B [Etched]
TML-SStamped
1-5 PS-45901-A-SP ( ) TML-SRunout side A
1-5 PS-45901-B-SP ( ) TML-SRunout side B
PS-45901-A-PRC-1-111-11 TML-SRunout Side A, etched [stamped: TML-S] variant 1
PS-45901-B-PRC-1 TML-SRunout Side B, etched [stamped: TML-S] variant 1
PS-45901-A-PRC-1-111-1 TML-SRunout Side A, etched [stamped: TML-S] variant 2
PS-45901-B-PRC-1-1-11 TML-SRunout Side B, etched [stamped: TML-S] variant 2
PS-45901-A5-PRC=II-I [TML-M]Runout side A etched, except [stamped], variant 1
PS-45901-B4-PRC-II-I [TML-S]Runout side B etched, except [stamped], variant 1
PS-45901-A5-PRC=II-I [TML-M]Runout side A etched, except [stamped], variant 2
PS-45901-B4-PRC-I-I-II [TML-SRunout side B etched, except [stamped], 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 | Benelux | Elektra ELK 12 327First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | Benelux | Elektra 12327First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Benelux | Elektra 12327First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Benelux | Elektra ELK.12.327. / Elektra 12327First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Benelux | Elektra 12327First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Benelux | Elektra 12327First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Planet P-45901First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | Canada | Planet P-45901First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Planet PRO 115First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Planet P-367EFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 12327 / Elektra ELK,12.327.First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Planet P 45901First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Portugal | Planet N-S-27-1First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Rhodesia | Planet EKS 665First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | South Africa | Planet EKS 665First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Planet K 133087", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Planet K 133087", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
42 vinyl pressings of Fire are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1978 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Barbados, Ireland and more. One of them is Planet P-45901, released October 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use P-45901, P-45901-A, AS-11397, K12339 (T)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PS-45901-A-SP [SRC LOGO] TML-S and PS-45901-B-SP [SRC LOGO] TML-Z. 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.
