Vinyl pressings
by Steve Howe · 1979
The Steve Howe Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 12 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.
S-12 K 50621 A-2Runout side A - variant 1
S-18 K 50621 B-2Runout side B - variant 1
S-7 K 50621 A-2 STRAWBERRY 1Runout side A - variant 2
S-10 K 50621 B-2 2 STRAWBERRYRunout side B - variant 2
ST-A-794417-A MORunout side A - variant 1
ST-A-794418-A MORunout side B - variant 1
△24653 19243 STRAWBERRYRunout side A - variant 2
△24653-X 19243 STRAWBERRYRunout side B - variant 2
ST-A-794417-A STRAWBERRYRunout side A, variant 1
ST-A794418-A STRAWBERRYRunout side B, variant 1
ST-A-794417-A 0-2 SML-3 STRAWBERRYRunout side A, variant 2
ST-A-794418-A 0-1 SM-3-1 STRAWBERRYRunout side B, variant 2
WEA 50621-A PFSide A (hand-etched)
WEA 50621-B PFSide B (hand-etched)
50621-ASide A (label)
50621-BSide B (label)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Atlantic 208715First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Atlantic SD 19243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Atlantic QSD 19243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Atlantic QSD 19243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 621First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 621 / Atlantic (SD 19243)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 621 / Atlantic (SD 19243)LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1979 | France | Atlantic ATL 50 621First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 621 / Atlantic SD 19243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 521 / Atlantic SD 19243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Atlantic W 50621First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Atlantic W 50621First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50 621 / Atlantic SD-19243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Atlantic SD 19243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Atlantic SD 19243LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Atlantic 40.005LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Atlantic S 90.213LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Atlantic S 90.213LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Atlantic 50621LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Atlantic GM-200.2852 / Atlantic Lps. 200.2852LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Atlantic K 50621 / Atlantic SD 19243LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | AtlanticLP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
28 vinyl pressings of The Steve Howe Album are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Greece, Japan and more. One of them is Atlantic K 50621, released October 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 50621, SD 19243, 50621, P-10699A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S-12 K 50621 A-2 and S-18 K 50621 B-2. 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.
