Vinyl pressings
by Then Jerico · 1987
First (The Sound Of Music) was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 1987, 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.
LON LP 26 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, stamped/etched, version 1
LON LP 26 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, stamped/etched, version 1
LON LP 26 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 3 1 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, stamped/etched, version 2
LON-LP-26-B3 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, etched, version 2
LON LP 26 A - 4J - 1 - 1Runout Side A, stamped
LON-LP-26-B3 TOWNHOUSE -Runout Side B, etched
LONLP 26 aLabel Side A
LONLP 26 bLabel Side B
LON LP 26 A - 4U - 1 - 1Runout side A, stamped
LON-LP+26+B3 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, etched
LONLP 26 aLabel side A
LONLP 26 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | London Records 828 044-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | London Records 828 044-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | London Records 828 044-1 / Metronome 828 044-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 828 079-1 / London Records 828 079-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Stereo, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Greece | London Records 828044-1 / London Records LON LP 26First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1987 | Greece | London Records 828044 / London Records LON LP 26LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Italy | London Records 828 044-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | London Records L28P-1248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | London Records L28P-1248First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Netherlands | London Records 828 044-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | London Records 828 044-1 / Polygram 828 044-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Liberation Records LIB 5131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | London Records LON LP 26 / London Records 828 044-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | London Records LON LP 26 / London Records 828 044-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | London Records LONLP 26 / London Records LON LP 26First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of First (The Sound Of Music) are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is London Records LONLP 26, released September 21, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LONLP 26, LIB 5131, LON LP 26, 828 044-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LON LP 26 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 TOWNHOUSE and LON LP 26 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
