Vinyl pressings
by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel · 1977
Face To Face 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.
14 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
YAX 5301-3 RT 2 NICK WRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
YAX 5302-2U A P MASTERED BY CAPITOL 2 KPRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
YAX 5303-1U RH MASTERED BY CAPITOL 1 KPRunout side C, stamped, variant 1
YAX 5304-3 H 1 NICK WRunout side D, stamped, variant 1
SKBB -1- 11661- F2 –◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL AlSide A
SKBB -3- 11661- F2 –◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL AlSide C
SKBB -4- 11661- F2 –◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL AlSide D
SKBB -2- 11661- F2 –◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL AlSide B
SKBB-1-11661-F.3. ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide-A runout
SKBB-2-11661-F.3. ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide-B runout
SKBB-3-11661-F.3. ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide-C runout
SKBB-4-11661-F.3. ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide-D runout
SKBB-1-11661-F2Side-A runout etching
SKBB-2-11661-F2Side-B runout etching
SKBB-3-11661-F2Side-C runout etching
SKBB-4-11661-F2Side-D runout etching
YAX 5301Runout side 1 - [etched]
YAX 5302Runout side 2 - [etched]
YAX 5303Runout side 3 - [etched]
YAX 5304Runout side 4 - [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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | EMI EMC-2612 / EMI EMC.2612First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | EMI SKBB-11661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Sonopresse 69679First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | EMI 1C 172-06 421/22 / EMI Electrola 1C 172-06 421/22First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | EMI 1C 172-06 421 / EMI Electrola 1C 172-06 421LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Germany | EMI 1C 172-06 421/22 / EMI Electrola 1C 172-06 421/22LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Japan | EMI EMS-67135-36First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Japan | EMI EMS-67135.36First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 138-06421/22First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 138-06421/22First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | EMI 06421LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Sweden | EMI 7C 138-06421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Sweden | EMI 7C 138-06421/2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | EMI EMSP 320LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | EMI SKBB-11661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EMI 1C 128-15 7681 3LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | EMI 1C 172-06 421/22 / EMI Electrola 1C 172-06 421/22LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Face To Face are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is EMI EMSP 320, released July 8, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMSP 320, SKBB-11661, EMC-2612, 69679) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAX 5301-3 RT 2 NICK W and YAX 5302-2U A P MASTERED BY CAPITOL 2 KP. 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.
