Vinyl pressings
by The Blackbyrds · 1977
Action 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.
13 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.
T2 F9535-A-1 TML-M AA side runout, variant 1
T1 F9535-B-1 TML-M C1B side runout, variant 1
T2 F9535-A-1 TML-MA side runout, variant 2
T1 F9535-B-3 TML-S BB side runout, variant 2
F-9535-ARE-1Variant 1 Side A runout [etched]
F-9535-B-1AVariant 1 Side B runout [etched]
F-9535-A-RE-1 TKL-3 A T1Variant 2 Side A runout [all etched except A stamped]
F-9535-B TKL-8 C T2Variant 2 Side B runout [all etched except C stamped]
F-9535-A-RE-1 XX TML-SVariant 1 Side A runout
F9535-BX TML-MVariant 1 Side B runout
F-9535-AXX TML-MVariant 2 Side A runout
F9535-BX TML-MVariant 2 Side B runout
F-9535-A-1A TML-M S1Side A runout [etched]
F-9535-B-1B XXXX (cross-out) 1C TML-S S1Side B runout [etched]
F-9535-A-1B TML-S A5 1SSide A variant 1 [etched]
F-9535-B-1B TML-S B1 1SSide B variant 1 [etched]
SMX51439Label Side 1
SMX51440Label Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Fantasy L-36,361 / Fantasy F-9535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Fantasy F-5967First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Fantasy BBS 2541 / Bellaphon BBS 2541First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Fantasy AMI 9535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Fantasy VIP-6466First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Fantasy VIP-6466 / Fantasy VIP 6466First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | South Africa | Fantasy FAC 9535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Fantasy FT 534 / Fantasy 0C 062·60 060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9535First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Venezuela | Fantasy F-8001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9535LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9535LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Yung Feng LF-3157LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
16 vinyl pressings of Action are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, France and more. One of them is Fantasy F-9535.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-9535, FT 534, L-36,361, F-5967) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T2 F9535-A-1 TML-M A and T1 F9535-B-1 TML-M C1. 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.
