Vinyl pressings
by The San Sebastian Strings · 1968
The Sky was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 4 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.
1 P 39305 WS-1720-A 1-B C 4Side A runout, etched
2 º 39306 - WS 1720-B-10 : X BSide B runout, etched
39305 WS-1720-A 1-C 0 ASide A runout - Variation 1
39305 WS-1720-B 1-C 0 BSide B runout - Variation 1
39305 WS1720A-1H A 2Side A runout
39306 WS1720B -1K ASide B runout
o 39305- WS-1720A -10 1 C2 TSide A runout
o T 39306 WS- 1720-B 1-A 1Side B runout
(S39305)Side A label
(S39306)Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WS 1720First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1720First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | Japan | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records BP-8606First yearLP, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1968 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1720First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1720First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1720First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1720First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Taiwan | 中聲 CSJ-880LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1972 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-8281WLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1720 / Warner Bros. Records WS 1720LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1974 | US | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1720 / Warner Bros. Records WS 1720LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1720LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1720LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10272WLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records P-10278WLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1720LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1720 / Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records 1720LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of The Sky are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1968 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WS 1720.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WS 1720, BP-8606) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 P 39305 WS-1720-A 1-B C 4 and 2 º 39306 - WS 1720-B-10 : X B. 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.
