Vinyl pressings
by Richard & Linda Thompson · 1978
First Light 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.
12 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
CHR 1177 A//2 KR KENDUN-B CHR - 1177 - ASide A runout, variant 1
CHR 1177 B//2 KR KENDUN-B CHR - 1177 - BSide B runout, variant 1
CHR 1177 A//1 KR 11 6 KENDUN-A CHR- 1177-ASide A runout, variant 2
CHR 1177 B//2 KR 1 1 KENDUN-A CHR - 1177 - BSide B runout, variant 2
CHR-1177-A KENDUN B 1 1 CHR 1177 A//2 KR 14A-side runout, stamped, except "CHR-1177-A", etched
CHR-1177-B KENDUN B 9 1 1 CHR 1177 B//1 KRB-side runout, stamped, except "CHR-1177-B", etched
XS 1S CHR-1177-AS-RE-1B KENDUN-B JGSide A runout, variant 1
XS 2S CHR-1177-BS-1B KENDUN-D fSide B runout, variant 1
XS 1S CHR-1177-AS-RE 1A KENDUN-A JG A2Side A runout, variant 2
1S CHR- 1177 - BS -1A KENDUN-C f A3Side B runout, variant 2
1S CHR 1177-AS · Re 1A KENDUN-A JGSide A, variant 1, etched except KENDUN-A
1S CHR 1177-BS - 1A KENDUN-C JHSide B, variant 1, etched except KENDUN-C
1S CHR 1177-AS · Re 1A KENDUN-D JHSide A, variant 2, etched except KENDUN-A
2S CHR 1177-BS - 1A KENDUN-D JHSide B, variant 2, etched except KENDUN-C
S CHR-1177 - AS - RE 1A Kendun-A JGEtched Side A
2 S CHR-1177-NS-1B Kendun-D FEtched Side B
1S CHR 1177-AS-1A T KENDUN-D fSide A, Variant 1, etched except KENDUN-D and f
1S CHR 1177-BS - 1A KENDUN-C f SXTSide B, Variant 1, etched except KENDUN-C and f
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 | Australia | Chrysalis L 36697 / Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 640 / Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 511177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | US | Carthage Records CGLP 4412LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | US | Carthage Records CGLP 4412LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | UK | Hannibal Records HNBL 4412LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1177LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of First Light are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1978 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1177, released October 6, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1177, L 36697, 6307 640, 511177) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1177 A//2 KR KENDUN-B CHR - 1177 - A and CHR 1177 B//2 KR KENDUN-B CHR - 1177 - B. 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.
