Vinyl pressings
by Serge Gainsbourg · 1978
Sea Sex And Sun 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.
10 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
PHI 6172 147 1 380 CIDIS DU1A side runout variant 1 [stamped]
PHI 6172 147 2 380 CIDISB side runout variant 1 [stamped]
A PHI 6172 147 1 380 CIDIS DU1A side runout variant 2 [A (etched) PHI 6172 147 1 380 CIDIS DU1 (stamped)]
B PHI 6172 147 2 380 CIDISB side runout variant 2 [B (etched) PHI 6172 147 2 380 CIDIS (stamped)]
PHI 9199 777 1 380 CIDISRunout, side A stamped
PHI 9199 777 2 380 CIDISRunout, side B stamped
9199 777 1Printed label A
9199 777 2Printed label B
PHI 9199 914 1 380 CIDISRunout, Side A (Stamped
PHI 9199 914 2 380 CIDISRunout, Side B (Stamped
9199 914 1Printed Label A
9199 914 2Printed Label B
6042412 1F//1▽E420 11 1Side A stamped
6042412 2F//1▽E420 11 1Side B stamped
6172-147A-IS 1A nc. DStamped runout side A
6172-147B-IS 1A nc. UStamped runout side B
nc.Etched in runouts
D / UPunched in runouts
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 | Canada | Philips 6172-147First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Philips 9199 777First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Philips 9199 914First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Philips 6042 412First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Guatemala | Philips 6172 147First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | Philips 6042 412First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Portugal | Philips 6042 412First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Turkey | Philips 6172 147First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Philips 6042 412First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | France | Philips 6172 147First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Philips 6172 1877", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Sea Sex And Sun are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in France, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Philips 6172 147, released June 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6172 147, 9199 777, 9199 914, 6042 412) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHI 6172 147 1 380 CIDIS DU1 and PHI 6172 147 2 380 CIDIS. 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.
