Vinyl pressings
by The Staple Singers · 1974
City In The Sky 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.
7 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
STXS-0924-2 SS-0643 -L.NIX- SON 666 =CRM=Side A runout etched
STXS-0925-3 SS-0644-R -BohaNNoN-Side B runout etched
(SS-0643)Label side A
(SS-0644)Label side B
666 ~CRM~ STXS-0924-1 SS-0643 (MR) -L.NIX- Δ19195(2)Runout Side A, Etched
STXS-0924-1 SS-0644 -L.NIX- (MR) Δ19195-X(1) Believe In MemphisRunout Side B, Etched
SS-0643Matrix Side A, On Label
SS-0644Matrix Side B, On Label
STXS-0924-2 SS-0643 -L.NIX- SON 666 =CRM=Side A runout etched
STXS-0925-3 SS-0644-R -BohaNNoN-Side B runout etched
(SS-0643)Label side A
(SS-0644)Label side B
STLP 9078 A GSide A etched
STLP-9078-ALabel Side A
STLP-9078-BLabel Side B
STLP 9078 B GAUSS
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 | Brazil | Stax STLP 9078First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | Brazil | Stax STLP 9078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | Stax TXL 22035 / Stax TXL.22035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Stax STS-5515First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Stax STS-5515First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Stax STS-5515First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Stax STX 1001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Stax VIP-5037LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1978 | Japan | Stax VIP-5037LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Stax STX 88013 / Bellaphon STX 88013LP | LP |
| ? | South Korea | Yegrin K-70018LP | LP |
| ? | US | Stax STS-5515LP, Repress | LP, Repress |
12 vinyl pressings of City In The Sky are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1974 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Brazil, South Africa. One of them is Stax STS-5515.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STS-5515, STX 1001, STLP 9078, TXL 22035) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STXS-0924-2 SS-0643 -L.NIX- SON 666 =CRM= and STXS-0925-3 SS-0644-R -BohaNNoN-. 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.
