Vinyl pressings
by The Blackbyrds · 1974
The Blackbyrds was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
F9444A ⌒. .⌒ C1 PSide A Runout Etching - Variant 1
F9444B ⌒. .⌒ PSide B Runout Etching - Variant 1
P F9444A ⌒. .⌒Side A Runout Etching - Variant 2
P F9444B ⌒. .⌒Side B Runout Etching - Variant 2
T1 F 9444 A-1 ⌒. .⌒/\3Runout Side A, variant 1
T1 F 9444 B-1 ⌒. .⌒B3Runout Side B, variant 1
T1 F 9444 A-1 ⌒. .⌒/\4Runout Side A, variant 2
T1 F 9444 A-1 ⌒. .⌒/B4Runout Side B, variant 2
F9444A ⌒. .⌒ C PSide A Runout Etching - Variant 1
F9444B ⌒. .⌒ PSide B Runout Etching - Variant 1
P F9444A ⌒. .⌒Side A Runout Etching - Variant 2
P F9444B ⌒. .⌒Side B Runout Etching - Variant 2
F 9444A - 1 ⁀⁀ -1 A2Runout side A, variation 1
F 9444B - 1 ⁀⁀ -1 A1Runout side B, variation 1
F 9444 A ⌢ . . ⌢ HRunout side A, variation 2
F 9444 B ⌢ . . ⌢ HRunout side B, variation 2
F 9444 A ⌒. .⌒ HRunout Side A
F 9444 B ⌒. .⌒ HRunout Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Fantasy F-9444First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Australia | Fantasy L 35267First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | France | Fantasy 6002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Israel | Fantasy DD 30875First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Israel | Fantasy F-9444First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | Fantasy AMI 9444 / Fantasy 9444First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Fantasy F-9444 / Fantasy LFP 88186First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Fantasy LFP 88186First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Mexico | Fantasy EDI-60188 / Musart EDI-60188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Fantasy F 9444 / Fantasy F-9444First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Fantasy L 35267 / Fantasy F-9444First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Fantasy FAC 9444First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Fantasy M. 40-085 SFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Fantasy M. 40-085 SFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Fantasy F-9444First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Fantasy F-9444LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | BGP Records BGPD 1105LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | BGP Records BGPD 1105LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | BGP Records BGPD 1105LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
29 vinyl pressings of The Blackbyrds are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1974 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, France, Israel and more. One of them is Fantasy F-9444, released June 1, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-9444, L 35267, 6002, DD 30875) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F9444A ⌒. .⌒ C1 P and F9444B ⌒. .⌒ P. 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.
