Vinyl pressings
by The O'Jays · 1973
Ship Ahoy was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1973, 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.I.R. AL-32408-1D RE MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NSRunout A, var. 1
P.I.R. BL-32408-1D RE MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NSRunout B, var. 1
P.I.R. AL-32408-1B RE MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NSRunout A, var. 2
P.I.R. BL-32408-1B RE MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NSRunout B, var. 2
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NSStamped both sides runout
P.I.R. AL-32408-1G 0Side A runout etched, 0 stamped - Variant 1
P.I.R. BL-32408-1GSide B runout etched - Variant 1
S I P.I.R. AL-32408-1H 0 B9Side A runout etched, 0 stamped - Variant 2
AL 32408Matrix Side A
BL 32408Matrix Side B
P.I.R. AL-32408-1G O Masterd by Frankford/Wayne Phila NSSide A Runout (O O Masterd by Frankford/Wayne Phila Stamped), variant 1
P.I.R. BL-32408-1G O Masterd by Frankford/Wayne Phila NSSide B Runout (O O Masterd by Frankford/Wayne Phila Stamped), variant 1
\ P.I.R AL-32408-1G 0 A3 Mastering By Frankford/Wayne Phila.Side A runout, variant 1
P.I.R. BL-32408-IA RE 1C Mastering By Frankford/Wayne Phila.Side B runout, variant 1
\ P.I.R AL-32408-1B RESide A runout, variant 2
P.I.R. BL-32408-IASide B runout, variant 2
P.I.R. AL-32408-1B RE. PRunout side A
P.I.R. BL-32408-1A RE PRunout side B
P.I.R. AL-32408-RE2 1 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS. A PSide A, Variant 3
P.I.R. BL-32408 RE2 2 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS. C 12 PSide B, Variant 3
p P.I.R. AL-32408-1B RE. Mastering By Frankford/Wayne Phila. NS.side 1, stamped/etched
p P.I.R. BL-32408- 1A Mastering By Frankford/Wayne Phila.NSside 2, stamped/etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | CBS SBP 234481 / CBS KZ 32408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia KZ 32408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia KZ 32408 / Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Europe | Philadelphia International Records PIR 65860 / Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Israel | Philadelphia International Records PIR 65860First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records ECPM-34-PHFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records ECPM-34-PHFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Epic SBPC 474177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Epic SBPC 474177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Philadelphia International Records KZ.6001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Philadelphia International Records PIR 65860 / Philadelphia International Records S PIR 65860First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 65860First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | South Africa | Star Special Original Artists STR 30036LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1123LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | UK, Europe & US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408 / Epic 19075829671LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Philadelphia International Records PIR 65860 / Epic PIR 65860LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ 32408LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
31 vinyl pressings of Ship Ahoy are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1973 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records KZ 32408.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KZ 32408, PIR 65860, S PIR 65860, SBP 234481) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P.I.R. AL-32408-1D RE MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS and P.I.R. BL-32408-1D RE MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS. 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.
