Vinyl pressings
by The Pretty Things · 1974
Silk Torpedo 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.
14 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
PORKY SSK 59400 A1Runout side A, variant 1
PECKO SSK 59400 2Runout side B, variant 1
PORKY SSK·59400·A1 A 1 4Runout side A, variant 2
SSK·59400·B2 PECKO A 1 1Runout side B, variant 2
SSK·59400·A1 PORKY A DRunout side A
SSK·59400·B2 PECKO A DRunout side B
SSK 59400-ALabel side A
SSK 59400-BLabel side B
ST-SS-743251-A PORKY PRSide A runout, variant 1
ST-SS 743252-A PR PECKOSide B runout, variant 1
ST-SS-743251B PORKY PRSide A runout, variant 2
ST-SS 743252A PR PECKOSide B runout, variant 2
ST-SS743251B (MR) PORKY △19607 PRA Side runout
ST-SS743252B PECKO(MR) △19607-X PRB Side runout
ST-SS-743251-MOA side label
ST-SS-743252-MOB side label
ST-SS 7432 5113BB-1 PORKY PRA Side runout, variant 1
ST-SS-7432 5213BB-1-11 PECKO PRB Side runout, variant 1
ST-SS 743251 - AAA - 1-111 PORKY PRA Side runout, variant 2
ST-SS-74325213BB - 1-111 PECKO PRB Side runout, variant 2
ST-SS-743251-A PORKY PRSide A, etched
ST-SS 743252A PR PECKOSide B, etched
ST-SS 743251B PORKY PRSide A, etched, variant 2
ST-SS 743252A PECKO PRSide B, etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Swan Song SS 8411First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Swan Song SS 8411First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Swan Song 59400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Swan Song SSK 59 400First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Japan | Swan Song P-8544NFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Swan Song SS 8411First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Atlantic SWC 1000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Swan Song SS 8411First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Swan Song SS 8411First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Swan Song SS 8411First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Swan Song SS-8411LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | US | Swan Song SS 8411First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Swan Song SSK 59 400 / Swan Song SSK 59 400-UFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Swan Song SSK 59400 / Swan Song SSK59400First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Swan Song SSK 59400 / Swan Song SSK59400First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UK | Repertoire Records V 178 / Repertoire Records REP2283LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
19 vinyl pressings of Silk Torpedo are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1974 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Swan Song SSK 59400, released November 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SSK 59400, SS 8411, SSK 59 400, 59400) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PORKY SSK 59400 A1 and PECKO SSK 59400 2. 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.
