Vinyl pressings
by Santa Esmeralda · 1978
Beauty 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.
19 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 15 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.
A PHI 6 172 154 1 CIDIS DA A Λ1Runout side A, stamped [etched first and last "A"]
6 172 154 B PHI 61 72154 B CIDIS A A9Runout side B, stamped [etched "6 172 154 B"; "A"]
6172 154 1Label side A
6172 154 2Label side B
PHI 6172 154 1 C̶I̶D̶I̶S̶ DA B ARunout A, stamped, A etched
PHI 6172 154 2 C̶I̶D̶I̶S̶ B 6I72 I54 BRunout B, stamped, 6I72 I54 B etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Philips 6042 392First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Austria | Philips 6172 154First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Brazil | Philips 6042 392First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | Finland | Philips 6172 154First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Philips 6172 154First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Philips 6172 154First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | Philips 6042 392First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Guatemala | Philips 6172 154First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | Philips AS 5000 473First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Italy | Philips 6042 392First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | Philips 6042 392First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Philips SFL-2316First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Philips SFL-2316First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Philips 6042 392First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Portugal | Philips 6042 392First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Beauty are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in France, Australia, Austria, Brazil and more. One of them is Philips 6172 154.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6172 154, 6042 392, SFL-2316, 60 42 392) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A PHI 6 172 154 1 CIDIS DA A Λ1 and 6 172 154 B PHI 61 72154 B CIDIS A A9. 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.
