Vinyl pressings
by Strawbs · 1978
Deadlines was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 10 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.
AB-4172-SA-1B Sterling (above) TJ (below)Runout side A, variant 1
AB-4172-SB.1C Sterling (above) TJ (below)Runout side B, variant 1
AB-4172-SA-1A XS 1 5Runout side A, variant 2
AB-4172-SB.1B CRunout side B, variant 2
AB-4172-SA TJSide A runout etched
AB-4172-SB TJSide B runout etched
STERLINGSides A & B stamped
AB-4172-SA-1BSide 1 Etched
Sterling (above) TJ (etched)Side 1 Stamped
AB-4172-SB.1CSide 2 Etched
Sterling (above) TJ (etched)Side 2 Stamped
S2 AB-4172-SA-1B SXT A1Side 1 Etched, Variant 1
Sterling (above) TJ (etched)Side 1 Stamped, Variant 1
1S AB-4172-SB.1B SXT DSide 2 Etched, Variant 1
Sterling (above) TJ (etched)Side 2 Stamped
1S AB-4172-SA-1A A1 STERLING TJSide 1 etched Sterling stamped
1S AB-4172-SB-1A A2 STERLING TJSide 2 etched Sterling stamped
SPART˅ 1036 A//3 UT 11 5Side A Stamped, variant 1
SPART˅ 1036 B//2 UT 11 8Side B Stamped, variant 1
SPART˅ 1036 A//3 UT 11 3 [Utopia lyre logo]Side A Stamped, variant 2
SPART˅ 1036 B//2 UT 11 [Utopia lyre logo] 4Side A Stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Arista ARTY-1036First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | Arista 31C 064-60518First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Arista AB 4172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Arista 2C 068 60370 / Arista 2C 068-60.370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Arista 1C 064-60 518First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Arista SPART 1036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Arista 5N 058N-60518First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Arista 10 C 062-060.518First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4172First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4172LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Arista SPART 1036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Deadlines are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Arista AB 4172.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB 4172, SPART 1036, ARTY-1036, 31C 064-60518) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB-4172-SA-1B Sterling (above) TJ (below) and AB-4172-SB.1C Sterling (above) TJ (below). 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.
