Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1978
It's Late 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.
15 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ES-45478-A-6-RE-LONG SP 1-1 STERLINGSide A runout etched, variant 1
ES-45478-B-6 SP 1-1 STERLINGSide B runout etched, variant 1
[SRC logo] ES-45478-A-7-RE-LONG 1-2 STERLINGSide A runout etched, variant 2
1-1 ES-45478-B-6 SP STERLINGSide B runout etched, variant 2
ES-45478-A-RE-12-LONG.PRCW I STERLINGA Side etched runout
ES-45478-B-8-PRCW -1 STERLINGB Side etched runout
ES-45478-A-11-RE-LONG- I - I PRC sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out Side A, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
Q̶S̶B̶-̶5̶ ̶P̶R̶C̶ ̶E̶M̶I̶ ̶2̶7̶5̶7̶-̶ ̶I̶ ̶-̶ ̶I̶ ES-45478-B5 - I - I ᴘʀᴄ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out Side B, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ES-45478-A-7-RE-LONG 1-1 STERLING [SRC logo]Runout side A, etched/stamped
ES-45478-B-6 SP STERLING 1-1Runout side B, etched/stamped
E-45478-A (SP)Label side A
E-45478-B (SP)Label side B
ES-45478-A-9-RE-LONG STERLING R-3337①Runout Side A, STERLING stamped
ES-45478 B-2 Q̶S̶B̶-̶A̶R̶ AR R-3118Runout Side B, QSB-AR scratched out
E-45478-ALabel Side A
E-45478-BLabel Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Elektra E 45478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Elektra P-271EFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Elektra E45 478First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Elektra E45 478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra E-45478-AFirst year7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Elektra E 45478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra E-45478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra E-45478First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | US | Elektra E-45478First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra E-45478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Elektra E-45478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra E-45478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra E-45478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Elektra E-45478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Elektra P-271EFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of It's Late are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Japan, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Elektra E-45478, released April 25, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E-45478, E-45478-A, P-271E, E 45478) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ES-45478-A-6-RE-LONG SP 1-1 STERLING and ES-45478-B-6 SP 1-1 STERLING. 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.
