Vinyl pressings
by The S.O.S. Band · 1986
Sands Of Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 11 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.
01_26863_1A_1 BRunout side A, variant 1
01_26863_1B_1 ARunout side B, variant 1
01_26863_1A_1 BRunout side A, variant 2
01_26863_1B_1 CRunout side B, variant 2
TBU-26863-A-1 C1 BGRunout, side A
TBU-26863.B.1 D1 BGRunout, side B
P(AP) ௦ PAL-40279-1A 🌼Runout A, etched, exc. ௦, stamped
P(AP) ௦ PBL-40279-1BRunout B, etched, exc. ௦, stamped
AL 40279Side A label matrix number
BL 40279Side B label matrix number
PAL-40279-1C LOGO G1Runout Side A
PBL-40279-1D LOGO G1Runout Side B
AL 40279Label Side A
BL 40279Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4537First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Brazil | Epic 144894 / Tabu Records 144894First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Tabu Records TBU 26863 / Tabu Records 26863First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Tabu Records TBU 460946 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Not On LabelLP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Greece | Epic TBU 26863First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3196First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4537 / Tabu Records ELPS 4537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Philippines | Epic QEL-25135 / Tabu Records FZ 40279First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Spain | Tabu Records TBU 26863First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Tabu Records TBU 26863First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Tabu Records TBU 26863LP, Album, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | UK | Tabu Records 460946 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Sands Of Time are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Tabu Records TBU 26863.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TBU 26863, FZ 40279, ELPS 4537, 144894) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01_26863_1A_1 B and 01_26863_1B_1 A. 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.
