Vinyl pressings
by Todd Rundgren · 1972
I Saw The Light was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, the album's first year, in 16 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.
BSV -0003 PCA ̶0̶2̶1̶8̶-S-1-2018 STERLING LH 3 T11A runout variant 1
BSV 0003 PCA 2027-S-1 STERLING LH 3 T1B runout variant 1
BSV 0003 PCA 2018-S-1 STERLING LH 2 T111A runout variant 2
BSV 0003 PCA 2027-S-1 STERLING LH 3 T111B runout variant 2
BSV -0003 PCA ̶0̶2̶1̶8̶-S-1-2018-S STERLING LH T111A-side runout
BSV 0003 PCA 2027-S 1 STERLING LH T111B-side runout
(PCA2018)SA label
(PCA2027)SB label
BSV-003 ̶R̶C̶A̶ ̶0̶2̶1̶8̶ 1-1 S̶ PCA2018-5 STERLING LH 3Etched Side A, except STERLING stamped - Variant 1
BSV 0003 PCA 2027-5 STERLING LH 3Etched Side B, except STERLING stamped - Variant 1
BSV-003 P̶C̶A̶ 0̶2̶1̶8̶ S̶ PCA2018-S STERLING LH 2Etched Side A, except STERLING stamped - Variant 2
BSV 0003 PCA 2029-S STERLING LH 2Etched Side B, except STERLING stamped - Variant 2
PCA 0̶2̶1̶8̶ -S 1B PCA-2018-S STERLING 3 LH ϟ I BSV-0003A Side, runout, etched / STERLING stamped
PCA 2027-S 1B STERLING 3 LH ϟ I BSV-0003B Side, runout, etched / STERLING stamped
PCA2018-SA Side, label
PCA2027-SB Side, label
BSV-0003 PCA-2018-S STERLING LH 3 S1Side A Runout Etched, STERLING stamped
BSV 0003 PCA 2027-S 1B STERLIG LH 3 S1Side B Runout Etched, STERLING stamped
(PCA2018)SSide A Label
(PCA2027)SSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records 31.906 / Bearsville 31.906First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Bearsville BSV-0003First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records WBCS-7.013First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Bearsville BSV 0003First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | France | Bearsville 15.502First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Bearsville BEA 15 502 / Bearsville BSV 0003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records WB 32082First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records G-1147First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Bearsville 15.502First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records B.10003First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records HS 839 / Hispavox HS 839First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Sweden | Warner Bros. Records BEA 15502First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | UK | Bearsville K 15502First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK & Europe | Bearsville K 15502First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Bearsville BSV 0003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
24 vinyl pressings of I Saw The Light are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Bearsville BSV 0003, released March 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSV 0003, K 15502, P-1135W, 31.906) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSV -0003 PCA ̶0̶2̶1̶8̶-S-1-2018 STERLING LH 3 T11 and BSV 0003 PCA 2027-S-1 STERLING LH 3 T1. 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.
