Vinyl pressings
by Sky · 1980
Sky 2 was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
43 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 20 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.
AD SKY2 A4Runout side A, etched variant 1
AD - SKY2 - B6Runout side B, etched variant 1
AD SKY2 C5Runout side C, etched variant 1
AD SKY2 D4Runout side D, etched variant 1
ADSKY 2 A7 1 D ASide A runout
ADSKY 2 B7 1 D CSide B runout
ADSKY-2-C7 1 D CSide C runout
ADSKY-2-D7 1 D CSide D runout
MADE IN GERMANY 020 S 301 116-A VI ADSKY 2 A 5Runout A
020 S-301 116 - B VII ADSKY 2BRunout B
MADE IN GERMANY 020 S 301 117 A V (faint etching)Runout C
MADE IN GERMANY 020 S-301 117-B VI ADSKY 2 D 5Runout D
AD SKY2 A5 1 BKSide A runout variant 1
ADSKY 2 B4 2 BHSide B runout variant 1
ADSKY 2 - C10 2 ASide C runout variant 1
ADSKY 2 D4 2 BGSide D runout variant 1
AD SKY2 A4 AZ.Runout side A, etched
AD - SKY2 - B4. KRunout side B, etched
AD SKY5̶2 C5 - ACRunout side C, etched
AD SKY2 D4 7 PRunout side D, etched
ADSKY 2 A6 4 C 4Side 1 runout etched
ADSKY 2 B7 5 C 5Side 2 runout etched
ADSKY·2 -C1 1 4 4 C 4Side 3 runout etched
ADSKY 2 D5 1 C 1Side 4 runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Ariola SUP 8006 / 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Argentina | Ariola SUP 8006/7First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | Ariola VAL2-0289 / RCA VAL2-0289First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia & New Zealand | Ariola VAL2 0289 / RCA VAL2 0289First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia & New Zealand | Ariola VAL2 0634First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Austria | Ariola 301.116 / Ariola 301.117First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista A2L 8302First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Ariola 301 118-406 / Ariola 301.116First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 301 118-406First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 31 544 0LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Greece | Ariola 6666 010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Ariola 6666 010First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | Israel | Ariola AD SKY2 / Hed-Arzi 2 AN 166817First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Ariola ARL 39056First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Ariola 2 ARL 39056First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV390LPLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Ariola 301 118-406 / Ariola 301 116LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Ariola 301 118-406LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Ariola AD SKY2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
52 vinyl pressings of Sky 2 are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1980 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Canada, Spain and more. One of them is Ariola AD SKY2, released April 18, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AD SKY2, A2L 8302, A2LDJ-8302, XD-301118) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AD SKY2 A4 and AD - SKY2 - B6. 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.
