Vinyl pressings
by Steve Rowland · 1970
Sympathy was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
(P) 1970 B 70* K<> 00 2001 007 S1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
I (P) 1970 B 70* K 00 2001 007 S2Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
℗ 1970 B 70 ✳ K C 00 2001 007 S1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
I ℗ 1970 A1 B 70 ✳ K 00 2001 007 S2Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
9449-R 1 Bell Sound sf LW BestwayA-side runout etched
9449-R-S Bell Sound sf LW BestwayB-side runout etched
Ⓟ 1970 P-2001 007A-1Runout A side
Ⓟ 1970 P-2001 007B-1Runout B side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Polydor NH-2001007First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Belgium | Polydor 2001 007First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | France | Polydor 2001 007 / Polydor 2001007First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2001 007 / Polydor 200 1007First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 200 1007First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2001 007First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 200 1007 / Polydor 200 1007First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 200 1007 / Polydor 2001 007First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 200 1007First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2001 007First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Polydor 2001007First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Spain | Polydor 20 01 007First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Turkey | Polydor 2001 007First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | US | Bell Records 863First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1970 | US | Bell Records B-863First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | BR Music 450427", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | Netherlands | BR Music 450427", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Bell Records Bell 8637", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 200 1007 / Polydor 2001 0077", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Lebanon | Polydor 20010077", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Lebanon | Polydor 20010077", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
23 vinyl pressings of Sympathy are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1970 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in Germany, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Polydor 2001 007.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2001 007, 863, B-863, NH-2001007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (P) 1970 B 70* K<> 00 2001 007 S1 and I (P) 1970 B 70* K 00 2001 007 S2. 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.
