Vinyl pressings
by Trace · 1975
Birds 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.
6 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
AA 6413 080 1Y1 Ⓟ 1975 670 1 1 06Runout side A, variant 1
AA 6413 080 2Y1 Ⓟ 1975 670 1 06Runout side B, variant 1
AA 6413 080 1Y1 Ⓟ 1975 670 1 1 5 06Runout side A, variant 2
AA 6413 080 2Y1 Ⓟ 1975 670 1 1 5 06Runout side B, variant 2
T2 SASD-7514-B-2 A-2Runout side A, variant 1
T2 SASD-7514-NA-2 B-2 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
T2SASD-7514-B⃥ ⃥-⃥2⃥ A-2 ΛRunout side A, variant 2
T2 SASD-7514-N⃥A⃥-⃥2⃥ B-2 STERLING Λ3Runout side B, variant 2
SASD-7514-A-2 T2Side A
SASD-7514-B-2 Sterling T2Side B
SASD-7514-ASide A Label
SASD-7514-BSide B Label
200 6413080 A1 [star] XVSide A
200 6413080 B2 [star] XVSide 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 | Brazil | Philips 6413 080First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Israel | Phonodor 13097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Philips 6413 080First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Philips 6413 080First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Sire SASD-7514First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Sire SASD-7514First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Sire SASD-7514LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Japan | Philips RJ-7164LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Philips RJ-7164LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Spain | Philips 6423 091LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Philips BT-5193LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Birds are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1975 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Netherlands, US, Brazil, Israel and more. One of them is Philips 6413 080.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6413 080, SASD-7514, 13097) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 6413 080 1Y1 Ⓟ 1975 670 1 1 06 and AA 6413 080 2Y1 Ⓟ 1975 670 1 06. 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.
