Vinyl pressings
by Steeleye Span · 1980
Sails Of Silver 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.
10 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
CHR 1304 A // 2 ∇ E UT 1 1 2A-side runout, stamped, Variant 1
CHR 1304 B // 1 ∇ E UT 1 1 4B-side runout, stamped, Variant 1
CHR 1304 A//1∇ E U T 1 1 (etched harp)A-side Runout, Stamped, Variant 2
CHR 1304 B//1 ∇ E UT 1 1 4 (etched harp)B-side Runout, Stamped, Variant 2
CHR 1304 A // 1 ∇ E UTA-side runout, stamped
CHR 1304 B // 1 ∇ E UTB-side runout, stamped
1 SMX 56839 W2BSide A runout
1 SMX 56839 W2ASide B runout
SMX-56839Side A label
SMX-56840Side B label
MPO CHR 1304 A Y.D.Side A runout hand-etched
MPO CHR 1304 B Y.D.Side B runout hand-etched
CHR 1304 ALabel side A
CHR 1304 BLabel side B
203003 A-1/80S Made in GermanySide A runout
203003 B-1/80S Made in GermanySide B runout
S 203 003 ALabel side A
S 203 003 BLabel side B
203003 A-1/80SSide A - stamped
203003 B-1/80SSide B - stamped
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 | Australia | Chrysalis CHR 1304 / Chrysalis L 37448First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Chrysalis CHR 1304First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Chrysalis 203 003-320 / Chrysalis 203 003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Chrysalis 203 003 / Chrysalis 203 003-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 203.003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 37448First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Chrysalis ML 4477First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Chrysalis CHR 1304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1304First yearLP, Advance, Album | LP, Advance, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Takoma TAK 7097LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Takoma TAK 7097LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Zimbabwe | Chrysalis ML 4477 / Chrysalis CHR 1304LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1304LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Sails Of Silver are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1304.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1304, 203 003-320, 203 003, 203.003) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1304 A // 2 ∇ E UT 1 1 2 and CHR 1304 B // 1 ∇ E UT 1 1 4. 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.
