Vinyl pressings
by Simon May · 1976
The Summer Of My Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 7 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.
7N 45627 A-1 △GHand etched in run-out area A-side
7N 45627 B-1 △GHand etched in run-out area B-side
7N 45627-ALabel A-side
7N 45627-BLabel B-side
7N 45627 A-1△G 8 LEtched runout, side A
7N 45627 B-2△G. 8 LEtched runout, side B
7N 45627 A-2 △G PHA-side runout, etched
7N 45627 B-2 △G PHB-side runout, etched
7N 45627-AA-side label
7N 45627-BB-side label
7N 45627 A-1 △G. 1 AGEtched runout, side A
7N 45627 B-2△G. 4 IEtched runout, side B
7N 45627 A-1 △G 5 FSide A runout
7N 45627 B-2 △G 4 WSide B runout
†7N 45627-A†Side A label
†7N 45627-B†Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Astor AP-1912First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | Pye Records 45.PY.140153First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Japan | Pye Records MA-60-YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | South Africa | Pye Records 7N PYE 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45627First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45627First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45627First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45627First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45627First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45627First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Pye Records PYE 71082First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | Germany | Pye Records 17 426 ATFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Spain | Pye Records P 1.0497", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of The Summer Of My Life are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Pye Records 7N 45627.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7N 45627, PYE 71082, 17 426 AT, AP-1912) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7N 45627 A-1 △G and 7N 45627 B-1 △G. 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.
