Vinyl pressings
by Traffic · 1967
Paper Sun was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 17 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.
WIP 6002 A ▽ 1 1 G&DSide A stamped runout
WIP 6 002 B ▽ 1 1 G&DSide B stamped runout
WIP-6002-ASide A label
WIP-6002-BSide B label
WIP 6002 A ▽ 1 1310 G&DSide A runout variant 1
WIP 6002 B ▽ 1 1214 G&DSide B runout variant 1
WIP 6002 A ▽ 1 1 1 2 G&DSide A runout variant 2
WIP 6002 B ▽ 1 1 7 G&DSide B runout variant 2
ZTSP 123998 1C T11A-side runout, etched
ZTSP 123999 1C T11B-side runout, etched
ZTSP 123998A-side label
ZTSP 123999B-side label
ZTSP 123998 1C T11A-side runout, etched
ZTSP 123999 1C T11B-side runout, etched
ZTSP 123998A-side label
ZTSP 123999B-side label
ZTSP 123998 1C T11A-side runout, etched
ZTSP 123999 1C T11B-side runout, etched
ZTSP 123998A-side label
ZTSP 123999B-side label
p ZTSP 123998 1A 1A-side runout, etched
p ZTSP 123999 1B 1B-side runout, etched
ZTSP 123998A-side label
ZTSP 123999B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Australia | Festival Records FK-1843First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Australia | Festival Records FK-1843First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Belgium | Fontana YF 278301First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Canada | Island Records CB 1302 / Stone Records CB 1302First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | France | Fontana 460.218 MEFirst year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | France | Fontana 261.610 MFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | Germany | Fontana 269 354 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Germany | Fontana 269 354 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | Italy | Ricordi International SIR 20.046First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | Japan | Philips SFL-1117First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Netherlands | Fontana YF 278 301 / Fontana 278 301 YFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | New Zealand | Philips PF 338083First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Norway | Island Records WIP 6002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Portugal | Fontana 460 218 BEFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | South Africa | Fontana TF 797First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Japan | Island Records AM(i)-1001Ⓢ / King Records AM(i)-1001Ⓢ7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Japan | Island Records AM(i)-1001Ⓢ7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
30 vinyl pressings of Paper Sun are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1967 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Island Records WIP-6002, released May 26, 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP-6002, UA 50195, FK-1843, YF 278301) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIP 6002 A ▽ 1 1 G&D and WIP 6 002 B ▽ 1 1 G&D. 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.
