Vinyl pressings
by Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band · 1976
A Fifth Of Beethoven was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 26 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.
PS 2015-A STERLINGSide A runout variant 1
PS 2015B STERLINGSide B runout variant 1
PS∙2015-A STERLINGSide A runout variant 2
PS-2015-B-RE BEST STERLINGSide B runout variant 2
PS-2015-A SRC STERLINGRunout A-Side
PS-2015-B-RE SRC STERLINGRunout B-Side
PS 2015-A SPLabel A-side
PS 2015-B SPLabel B-side
PS-2015A MR V △21185 STERLINGRunout A - variant 1
PS-2015B MR △21185-X(2) STERLINGRunout B - variant 1
PS-2015A MR △21185(1) STERLINGRunout A - variant 2
PS-2015-B-RE MR △21185-X(4) STERLINGRunout B - variant 2
PS2015-A STERLINGRunout Side 1
PS-2015-B-RE BEST STERLINGRunout Side 2
PS 2015-A BWLabel Side 1
PS 2015-B BWLabel Side 2
PS 2015-A STERLINGRunout A
PS-2015-B-RE BEST STERLINGRunout B
PS 2015-A BWLabel A
PS 2015-B BWLabel B
T2-PS-2015-A-2 STERLINGVar 1: Side 1 (hand etched / stamped
T1 PS-2015-B-RE STERLINGVar 1: Side 2 (hand etched / stamped
T1 PS 2015 A-1 STERLINGVar 2: Side 1 (etched / stamped)
T2 PS-2015-B-2 STERLINGVar 2: Side 2 (etched / stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Private Stock PS 2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | Private Stock PS 2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Barbados | Private Stock PS 2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | Private Stock PSL 3006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Private Stock PS 2015-V / Private Stock PS 2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Chile | Private Stock 5107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Colombia | EMI 11489First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Ecuador | EMI-Odeon, S.A. 302-0057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Private Stock 1C 062-98 279 / HÖR ZU 1C 062-98 279First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Greece | Private Stock 2J 062-98279First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Israel | Portrait PS 2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Private Stock 3C 064 - 98279First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Private Stock EMS-80682 / EMI EMS-80682First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Private Stock EMS-80682First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Malaysia | Private Stock PS 2015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | AFRTS RL 38-6LP, Transcription, Stereo | LP, Transcription, Stereo |
41 vinyl pressings of A Fifth Of Beethoven are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1976 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Private Stock PS 2015.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PS 2015, PVLP 1009, PSL 3006, PS 2015-V) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PS 2015-A STERLING and PS 2015B STERLING. 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.
