Vinyl pressings
by Starcastle · 1977
Fountains Of Light was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
P AL 34375-1HVar. 1, Side A (Stamped)
T1 BL 34375-1CVar. 1, Side B (Etched)
P AL 34375-1GVar. 2, Side A (Stamped)
T1 BL 34375-1BVar. 2, Side B (Etched) Sterling (Stamped)
P AL 34375-1H PStamped, Runout Side A, variant 1
BL 34375-1A STERLING PEtched/Stamped, Runout Side B, variant 1
P AL 34375-1G A PStamped, Runout Side A, variant 2
BL 34375-1B STERLING A PEtched/Stamped, Runout Side B, variant 2
1 S AL 34375-1E STERLINGRunout Side A, variant 1
1 S BL 34375-1E STERLINGRunout Side B, variant 1
1 S AL 34375-1E STERLINGRunout Side A, variant 2
1 S BL 34375-1F STERLINGRunout Side B, variant 2
1S XSM-160894-1CSide A runout (etched)
S1 XSM-160895-1CSide B runout (etched)
XSM 160894Side A label
XSM 160895Side B label
P AL 34375-1GSide A Stamped
BL 34375-1A STERLINGSide B etched exc [stamped: STERLING]
AL 34375Side A Label
BL 34375Side B Label
EPC-S-81665-A-1 ∴Runout Side A
EPC-S-81665-B-1 ∴Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Epic ELPS 3810First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Epic PE 34375First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | Epic S EPC 81665First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | Epic EPC 81665 / Epic PE 34375First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | Epic EPC 81665 / Epic PE 34375First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Epic 25AP 362First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Epic 25AP 362First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 3810First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Epic EPC 81665First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Epic EPC 81665 / Epic PE 34375First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34375First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Epic AS 296First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34375First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34375First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Epic PE 34375First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Fountains Of Light are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic PE 34375.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PE 34375, AS 296, EPC 81665, ELPS 3810) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 34375-1H and T1 BL 34375-1C. 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.
