Vinyl pressings
by Robert Plant · 1985
Little By Little was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 12 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.
799621-7 A2Runout stamped side A, variant 1
799621-7 BRunout stamped side B, variant 1
799621-7 A2 RA19 DRunout stamped side A, variant 2
799621-7 B STERLINGRunout stamped side B, variant 2
SRC ST-ES-47690-1 1-1 STERLINGRunout A etched (SRC sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
SRC ST-ES-47692-2 1-1 STERLINGRunout B etched (SRC sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
ST-ES-855865-ARA Side Label
ST-ES-855866-ARB Side Label
ST-ES · 855865-A 1- SRC SPAR B-22271-A Δ11178 STERLINGA Side Etch, except Sterling, SRC[logo] stamps
ST-ES-855866-2̶ A 1- SRC SPAR B-22272-A Δ1178-X 0- STERLINGB Side Etch, except Sterling, SRC[logo] stamps
ST-ES-855865-ARA Side Label
ST-ES-855866-ARB Side Label
ST-ES · 855865-A 1-2 SPAR B-22271-A Δ11178 0- STERLING SRCA Side Etch, except Sterling, SRC[logo] stamps
ST-ES-855866-2̶ A 1-2 SPAR B-22272-A Δ1178-X 0- STERLING SRCB Side Etch, except Sterling, SRC[logo] stamps. 2 is crossed out after 855866
ST-ES-855865-A 1-1 STERLING SRC [logo]Side A, variant 1
ST-ES-855866-A 1-1 STERLING SRC [logo]Side B, variant 1
ST-ES-855865-A 1-1 SM1-1 STERLING SRC [logo]Side A, variant 2
ST-ES-855866-[2 scratched out]A 1-1 STERLING SRC [logo]Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Es Paranza Records 7-99644First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Es Paranza Records 79 96447First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Es Paranza Records 79 96447First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Es Paranza Records7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Ecuador | Atlantic 45-73055First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | Es Paranza Records 796 865.0 / Es Paranza Records B 9621 TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | Es Paranza Records B 9621 T / Es Paranza Records 796 865-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Atlantic 79 9621-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Japan | Es Paranza Records PS-1034First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Peru | Atlantic 0799644.7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Atlantic ATS 1058First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | Es Paranza Records S 799621-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | Es Paranza Records 796 865.0 / Es Paranza Records B 9621 TFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Es Paranza Records B 9621T / Es Paranza Records B 9621 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Es Paranza Records B9621F / Es Paranza Records B 9621First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
29 vinyl pressings of Little By Little are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, US, UK, Japan and more. One of them is Es Paranza Records 799 621-7, released August 16, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 799 621-7, 796 865.0, 7-99644, 7 90485-1-B) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 799621-7 A2 and 799621-7 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.
