Vinyl pressings
by Toni Brown · 1977
The Joy was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 3 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.
/ S F-9538-A TML-M o C3Runout side A, variant 1
\ S F-9538-B-1A TML-S o D1Runout side B, variant 1
/ S F-9538-A-1B TML-M 2Runout side A, variant 2
\ S P F-9538-B-1B TML-S Sx B 3Runout side B, variant 2
F-9538-A ᴛᴍʟ-ᴍSide A etched except ᴛᴍʟ-ᴍ
F-9538-B ᴛᴍʟ-ᴍ 2Side B etched except ᴛᴍʟ-ᴍ 2
F-9538-A-1A ᴛᴍʟ-s A2 \SRunout Side A Etched, ᴛᴍʟ-s Stamped
F-9538-B-1A ᴛᴍʟ-s ^SRunout Side B Etched, ᴛᴍʟ-s Stamped
(F-9538-A)Label Side A
(F-9538-B)Label Side B
Tl F-9538-A-1 ᴛᴍʟ-sSIde A runout, Variant 1
Tl F-9538-B-2 ᴛᴍʟ-sSide B runout, Variant 1
T1 F-9538-A-1 TML-SSIde A runout, Variant 2
T1 F-9538-B-3 TML-M ASIde B runout, Variant 2
F-9538-A TML-M 2 PRunout side A
F-9538-B-1B TML-M SX B 3 S1 PRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Fantasy L 36466First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Fantasy FT 537 / Fantasy 0C 062 - 60 200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Fantasy FT 537 / Fantasy 0C 062 - 60 200LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9538First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Fantasy F-9538First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Fantasy VIP-6490LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Fantasy 5962 / Fantasy F-5962LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of The Joy are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia. One of them is Fantasy F-9538, released October 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-9538, FT 537, L 36466) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, / S F-9538-A TML-M o C3 and \ S F-9538-B-1A TML-S o D1. 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.
