Vinyl pressings
by Roy Wood · 1973
Forever was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 14 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.
SHAR 5078 A//1 1 RARunout side A, stamped variant 1
SHAR 5078 B//1 3 MGRunout side B, stamped variant 1
SHAR 5078 A//1 2 LMRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
SHAR 5078 B//1 1 OLRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
SHAR 5078ALabel Side A
SHAR 5078BLabel Side B
K- 8070 UAST-13612-E /6 EcKA side runout, etched
K- 8071 UAST-13613 /5 EcKB side runout, etched
UAST-13612-EA side label
UAST-13613B side label
UAST-13612-E /4 ℰCK T11A Side Etched
UAST-13613 /4 ℰCK T1B Side Etched
UAST-13612-EA Side Label
UAST-13613B Side Label
UAST-13612-E 12 EcKA side runout
UAST-13613 12 EcKB side runout
UAST-13612-EA side label
UAST-13613B side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Denmark | Harvest HAR 5078First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Denmark | Harvest HAR 5078First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Finland | Harvest HAR 5078First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Harvest 1 C 006-05 504 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-05 504First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | Harvest 1C006-05504First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Greece | Harvest HARG 1519First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | Harvest HAR 5078First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Japan | Odeon EOR-10494First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Odeon EOR-10494First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 006-05504First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Harvest HAR 5078First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Portugal | Stateside 8E 006 05504 MFFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1973 | South Africa | Harvest HARJ 5078First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Sweden | Harvest HAR 5078First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Harvest HAR 5078First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | Harvest 4C 006-05504 / Harvest HAR 50787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
25 vinyl pressings of Forever are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, France, Denmark and more. One of them is Harvest HAR 5078, released November 16, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HAR 5078, UA-XW394-W, 2C008-05504, 1 C 006-05 504) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHAR 5078 A//1 1 RA and SHAR 5078 B//1 3 MG. 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.
