Vinyl pressings
by Al Stewart · 1976
Year Of The Cat 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.
23 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 10 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.
RCA 2771 A-1E 'W'A-side runout variant 1
RCA 2771 B-1E 'W'B-side runout variant 2
RCA 2771 A-1E A1AFA-side runout variant 2
RCA 2771 B-1E A1AQB-side runout variant 2
RCA 2771 A-1E 'W' A1FSide A runout, etched, variant 1
RCA 2771 B-1E 'W' A1ISide B runout, etched, variant 1
RCA 2771 - A - 1E AIL WSide A runout, etched, variant 2
RCA 2771 B - 1E AIJ WSide B runout, etched, variant 2
RCA 2271-A-1EEtched Side A
RCA 2271-B-1EEtched Side B
(Etched Side A): RCA 2271-A-1E (DJ) D.J.
(Etched Side B): RCA 2271-B-1E (DJ) D.J.
T 4464-S-3 AzSide A runout
T 4462-S-1 AzSide B runout
4464-S-1 Az sRunout side A
4462-S-1D Az sRunout side B
4464Label side A
4462Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | RCA Victor 41A-2809First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | RCA Victor 102872First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Janus Records 1098-266First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Janus Records 1098-266First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | El Salvador | RCA CA-10031 / RCA RCA -2731First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Italy | RCA Victor PB 5007First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Panama | RCA XAPA-725First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-5007First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-5007First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2771First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2771First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2771First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2771 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Janus Records J-266First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1976 | US | Janus Records J-266First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Peru | Disco Tigre No 03427", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | Peru | Discos Sapo 0017", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
48 vinyl pressings of Year Of The Cat are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1976 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2771.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2771, RCA 2771 DJ, J-266, 41A-2809) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA 2771 A-1E 'W' and RCA 2771 B-1E 'W'. 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.
