UK
1973- Label and catalog number
- Island Records ILPS-9233
- Format
- LP
- Runout / matrix
ILPS 9233 A - 3U 'RAYS' GD 1Side A runout, stamped/etched
ILPS 9233 B - 2U H 'DIGGER' 1Side B runout, stamped/etched
Vinyl pressings
First Water
by Sharks · 1973
18 pressings10 countriesClassic RockRock
First Water 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.
How to spot a first pressing of First Water
16 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 10 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
1973- Label and catalog number
- Island Records ILPS-9233
- Format
- LP
- Runout / matrix
ILPS9233-Aetched
ILPS9233-Betched
UK
1973- Label and catalog number
- Island Records ILPS-9233
- Format
- LP, White Label
- Runout / matrix
ILPS 9233 (etched)Side A Runout, stamped
ILPS 9233 (etched)Side B Runout, stamped
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA 351
- Format
- LP, Album · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MCA-230-W2 ◈-P-◈ ISide A runout
MCA-231-W2 ◈-P-◈ ISide B runout
MCA230Side A label
MCA-231Side B label
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- MCA Records MCA 351
- Format
- LP, Album · Gloversville pressing
- Runout / matrix
MCA-230-W1. 回-G-回A-side runout, etched; 回-G-回 stamped
MCA-231-W1. 回-G-回B-side runout, etched; 回-G-回 stamped
MCA230A-side label
MCA231*B-side label
Australia
1973- Label and catalog number
- Island Records IL 34900
- Format
- LP
- Runout / matrix
2 SMX 42197 2ARunout side A variant 1
1 SMX 42198 2ARunout side B variant 1
2 SMX 42197 2ARunout side A variant 2
4 SMX 42198 2ARunout side B variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 18 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s18 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Island Records IL 34900First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 351First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 351First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Island Records 6396 029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records 200 836-270First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records 86 731 ITFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19233First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Island Records ICL-52First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Island Records ICL-52First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Singapore | Island Records ILPS-9233First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Spain | Island Records 86.731.1First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ILPS-9233First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ILPS-9233First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ILPS-9233First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA 351First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- A1World Park Junkies3:12
- A2Follow Me4:50
- A3Ol Jelly Roll2:40
- A4Brown-eyed Boy2:48
- A5Snakes And Swallowtails4:06
- B1Driving Sideways4:10
- B2Steal Away6:07
- B3Doctor Love3:25
- B4Broke A Feeling4:11
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of First Water are there?
18 vinyl pressings of First Water are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1973 and 1979.
When was First Water first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS-9233.
How do I tell if my copy of First Water is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS-9233, MCA 351, IL 34900, 6396 029) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9233 A - 3U 'RAYS' GD 1 and ILPS 9233 B - 2U H 'DIGGER' 1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is First Water 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.