Vinyl pressings
by Richard Lloyd · 1979
Alchemy 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.
10 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
STERLING 1-3 6E-245-A-SP [SRC logo]Side A runout, variant 1
STERLING 1-3 6E-245-B-SP [SRC logo]Side B runout, variant 1
STERLING 1-1 6E-245-A-SP [SRC logo]Side A runout, variant 2
STERLING 1-3 6E-245-B-SP [SRC logo]Side B runout, variant 2
6E-245-A-SP-AR SRC STERLING B-14434 1- vSide A runout
6E-245-B-SP-AR SRC STERLING B-14435 1- vSide B runout
6E-245-A (AR)Side A label
6E-245-B (AR)Side B label
6E-245-A-SP-AR SRC STERLING B-14434 1- vSide A etched, SRC STERLING stamped
6E-245-B-SP-AR SRC STERLING B-14435 1- vSide B etched, SRC STERLING stamped
6E-245-A (AR)Label Side A
6E-245-B (AR)Label Side B
1-1 6E-245A-SP GEOFFREY HEYSSide A, etched
STERLINGSide A, stamped
1-2 6E-245B-SPSide B, etched
STERLINGSide B, stamped
K+ 52196+A
K+ 52196+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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | France | Elektra ELK 52 196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Elektra P-10777EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Elektra P-10777EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Elektra 6E-245First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Elektra K 52196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-245First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-245First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-245First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-245First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Elektra ELK 52 196 / Elektra 6E-245LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Alchemy are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Germany, France and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-245, released October 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-245, K 52196, ELK 52 196, P-10777E) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING 1-3 6E-245-A-SP [SRC logo] and STERLING 1-3 6E-245-B-SP [SRC logo]. 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.
