Vinyl pressings
by Tom Paxton · 1971
How Come The Sun was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 6 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.
RS-6443 31200-1 SG pRunout side A, variant 1
RS-6443 31201-1 S.G pRunout side B, variant 1
RS-6443 31200-1 S.G.1 A 3 pRunout side A, variant 2
RS-6443 31201-1 1 S.G. A 1 pRunout side B, variant 2
RS-6443 31200-1 S.G. I ∧Side A runout
RS-6443 31201-1 S.G. I I ∧Side B runout
31,200Label side A
31,201Label side B
RS-6443 31200-1Side 1
RS-6443 31201-1Side 2
RS-6443 31200-2 SG T1Runout Side A, etched
RS-6443 31201-1-2 SG T1Runout Side B, etched
(31,200)Label Side A
(31,201)Label Side B
K 44129 A1Stamped Side A
K 44129 B1Stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Reprise Records RS 6443First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6443First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 44 129First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 44 129First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RS 6443LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RS 6443First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Reprise Records K.44129First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6443First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6443First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6443First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6443First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records RS 6443First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of How Come The Sun are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Reprise Records RS 6443, released May 4, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS 6443, K.44129, REP 44 129) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RS-6443 31200-1 SG p and RS-6443 31201-1 S.G p. 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.
