Vinyl pressings
by The Sweet · 1975
Action was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 14 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.
RCA-2578-A-2 EMI A2BSide A, runout, variant 1
RCA-2578-B-2 EMI AIRSide B, runout, variant 1
RCA-2578-A-1 EMI AIUSide A, runout, variant 2
RCA-2578-B-2 EMI AII/ISide B, runout, variant 2
RCA-2578-A-2 EMI A2BSide A: Etched
RCA-2578-B-2 EMI AIRSide B: Etched
RCA-2578-A-1 EMI AIUSide A: Etched (Variant)
RCA-2578-B-2 EMI AII/ISide B: Etched (Variant)
RCA-2578-A-2 EMI A2BSide A: Etched
RCA-2578-B-2 EMI AIRSide B: Etched
RCA2578-A // HP25629-1-Y. 12Side A runout, variant 1
RCA2578-B // HP25630-1-Y. 12Side B runout, variant 1
14 1̶5̶ RCA2578-A // HP25629-1-Y. 1̶3̶ 1̶2̶Side A runout, variant 2
RCA2578-B // HP25630-1-Y. 14Side B runout, variant 2
RCA2578-A // HP25629-1-Y. 12Side A runout, variant 1
RCA2578-B // HP25630-1-Y. 12Side B runout, variant 1
14 1̶5̶ RCA2578-A // HP25629-1-Y. 1̶3̶ 1̶2̶Side A runout, variant 2
RCA2578-B // HP25630-1-Y. 14Side B runout, variant 2
RCA 2578A A3Runout Side A stamped
RCA 2578B A3Runout Side B stamped
RCA-2578-A*Label Side A
RCA-2578-B*Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Belgium | RCA Victor RCA 2578First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Denmark | RCA RCA 2578First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | France | RCA Victor 42.525 / RCA Victor 42 545First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11284 / RCA Victor RCA 2578First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11 284 / RCA Victor RCA 2578First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11 284 / RCA Victor RCA 2578First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Greece | RCA Victor RCS 4014First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 102652First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 60666First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Portugal | RCA Victor RCA 20141First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-635First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Turkey | RCA 75911 / RCA Victor 75911First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2578First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2578First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSRCA-88857 / RCA Victor RCA 2578First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11284 / RCA Victor RCA 25787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
31 vinyl pressings of Action are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Netherlands, Australia, Italy and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2578, released July 4, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2578, 102652, RCA - 2578, 42.525) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA-2578-A-2 EMI A2B and RCA-2578-B-2 EMI AIR. 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.
