Vinyl pressings
by Sparks · 1974
Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, the album's first year, in 9 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.
WIPX 1352 - 1U STERLINGA side runout, stamped, variant 1
WIPX 1353 - 1UB side runout, stamped, variant 1
WIPX 1352 - 1U GD STERLING 1A side runout, stamped, variant 2
WIPX 1353 - 1U L 1B side runout, stamped, variant 2
MX45247on label
MX45248on label
ISL 61380541 380 CIDIS AA side runout
ISL 61380542 380 CIDIS BB side runout
S 13634 A-1 Made in GermanyRunout, side A, stamped
S 13634 B-1 Made in GermanyRunout, side B, stamped
S 13 634 ALabel, side A
S 13 634 BLabel, side B
WIPX 1352-1U STERLINGRunout stamped side A
WIPX 1353-1URunout stamped side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Island Records K5702First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | France | Island Records 6138 054First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | Island Records 13 634 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Ireland | Island Records WIP 6211First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26211First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | Island Records ILR-10674First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Island Records 13634 AT / Island Records 13 634 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Portugal | Island Records WIP 6211First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | UK | Island Records WIP 6211First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Japan | Island Records ILR-10674First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Island Records K 57027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton SI-88813 / Island Records WIP 62117", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Island Records Ltd. WIP 62117", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Island Records WIP 6211, released October 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP 6211, K5702, 6138 054, 13 634 AT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIPX 1352 - 1U STERLING and WIPX 1353 - 1U. 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.
