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Water Bearer by Sally Oldfield, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Water Bearer

by Sally Oldfield · 1978

34 pressings17 countriesFolk RockRock

Water Bearer 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Water Bearer

14 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 11 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.

UK

1978
Label and catalog number
Bronze BRON 511
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

BRON 511 A - 2 U [Utopia lyre symbol] 2 D 1Side A - variant 1

[Utopia lyre symbol] BRON 511 B - 2 U D C 1Side B - variant 1

[Utopia lyre symbol] BRON 511 A - 1 U G 1Side A - variant 2

[Utopia lyre symbol] BRON 511 B - 2 U A 1Side B - variant 2

Full details of this pressing

Australia

1978
Label and catalog number
Bronze L 36738Bronze L-36,738
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

SMX 53567 ..2BSide A runout, etched

SMX 53568 ..2ASide B runout, etched

SMX53567Side A label

SMX53568Side B label

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 34 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s23 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1978AustraliaBronze L 36738 / Bronze L-36,738First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978CanadaChrysalis CHR-1211First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978FranceBronze 893.030First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978FranceBronze Records Ltd. BRO 2030First yearLPLP
1978GermanyBronze 34 996 9LP, Album, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition
1978IndiaBronze BRON 511First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978ItalyBronze BROL 34511First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978NetherlandsBronze 26 447 XOT / Bronze 26447 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978NetherlandsBronze 26 447 XOTFirst yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978New ZealandBronze BRON 511First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978South AfricaGallo ML 4255First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978TurkeyBronze BRON 511 / Bronze 1115First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978UKBronze BRON 511First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978UKBronze BRON 511First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978USChrysalis CHR-1211First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
All 23 pressings from the 1970s
1980s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980SpainBronze 26.447-I / Bronze 26447-ILP, AlbumLP, Album
1986GermanyCastle Classics CLALP 101LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1987BrazilLup Som 2L5.4009LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2020s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2022IrelandMagic Of Vinyl 3682LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl
Year unknown7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?EuropeBronze 26 447 XOT / Bronze 26 447 - 270LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?EuropeBronze 26 447 XOTLP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?GermanyBronze 26 447 XOTLP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?GermanyBronze 26 447 XOTLP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?NetherlandsBronze 26 447 XOTLP, AlbumLP, Album
?NetherlandsBronze 26 447 XOTLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?UKBronze BRON 511LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. A1Water Bearer
  2. Songs Of The Quendi:
  3. B1Weaver
  4. B2Night Of The Hunter's Moon
  5. B3Child Of Allah
  6. B4Song Of The Bow
  7. B5Fire And Honey
  8. B6Song Of The Healer

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Water Bearer are there?

34 vinyl pressings of Water Bearer are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1978 and 2022.

When was Water Bearer first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Bronze BRON 511.

How do I tell if my copy of Water Bearer is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BRON 511, CHR-1211, L 36738, 893.030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Water Bearer on vinyl worth?

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.

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