Vinyl pressings
by Roy Harper · 1975
HQ was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 9 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.
SHSP 4046 A-3 GVariant 1 Side A runout stamped
SHSP 4046 B-1 GVariant 1 Side B runout stamped
SHSP 4046 A-3 R A 2Variant 2 Side A runout stamped
SHSP 4046 B-1 R A IVariant 2 Side B runout stamped
(A Side, Stamped) SHSP 4046 A1
SHSP 4046 A-3 2 1Runout A, stamped
SHSP 4046 B-4-1-1-1Runout B, stamped
SHSP 4046ASide A label
SHSP 4046BSide B label
SHSP 4046 A-3 —Variant 1 Side A runout stamped
SHSP 4046 B-4-1 1-12Variant 1 Side B runout stamped
SHSP.4046ASide A label bracketed
SHSP.4046BSide B label bracketed
CHR - 1105 31980 W2 (WB)Runout A side
CHR - 1105 31981 - 1 - 1 F2 ⟡ 3 (WB) MASTERED BY CAPITOL ▷Runout B side
31,980Label A side bracketed
31,981Label B side bracketed
CHR-1105-31980-B PSide A runout, variant 1
CHR-1105-31981-2 PSide B runout, variant 1
CHR- 1105 - 31980-B A1 PSide A runout, variant 2
CHR- 1105 - 31981- 2 1B PSide B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Harvest 2C 066-05883First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Harvest 1C 062-05 883First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Harvest 3C 064-05883First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1975 | Japan | EMI EMS-80367First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Japan | EMI EMS-80367First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | Harvest SHSPJ(D) 4046 / Harvest SHSPJ (D) 4046First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4046 / Harvest OC 62-05883First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4046First yearLP, Single Sided, White Label | LP, Single Sided, White Label |
| 1975 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4046 / Harvest OC 62-05883First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Harvest SHSP 4046 / Harvest OC 62-05883First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR-1105First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | UK | Science Friction SFLP005LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2017 | UK | Science Friction SFLP005LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1105LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | EMI 1C 062-05 883LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Harvest SHSP 4046 / Harvest OC 062 ∘ 05883LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
25 vinyl pressings of HQ are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1975 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Harvest SHSP 4046.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHSP 4046, CHR 1105, CHR-1105, 2C 066-05883) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHSP 4046 A-3 G and SHSP 4046 B-1 G. 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.
