Vinyl pressings
by Vicki Sue Robinson · 1983
To Sir With Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
JPI PRO-7025-A -1 ⭐︎PRESSED BY SOUND MAKERS,⭐︎N.J.Side A runout
JPI PRO-7025-B -1 ⭐︎PRESSED BY SOUND MAKERS,⭐︎N.J.Side B runout
PRO-7025 A -2 Jack A-2 ⟷Runout side A etched
PRO-7025 B -2 Jack A-1 ⟷Runout side B etched
PRO 7025 ASide A label
PRO 7025 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | RCA Victor TDS-208First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor 104297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Brazil | Som Livre 401.7053First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Break Records BREAK 30 8330First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Philippines | New York Records NEW-9234 / Profile Records PRO-7025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Profile Records PRO-7025 / Promise Records PRO-7025First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Profile Records PRO-7025-DJ / Promise Records PRO-7025-DJFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Profile Records PRO-702512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | US | Profile Records PRO-7025 / Promise Records PRO-7025First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Profile Records PRO-702512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of To Sir With Love are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1983 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Australia & New Zealand, Brazil and more. One of them is Profile Records PRO-7025.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PRO-7025, PRO-7025-DJ, TDS-208, 104297) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JPI PRO-7025-A -1 ⭐︎PRESSED BY SOUND MAKERS,⭐︎N.J. and JPI PRO-7025-B -1 ⭐︎PRESSED BY SOUND MAKERS,⭐︎N.J.. 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.
