Vinyl pressings
by Andrew Lloyd Webber · 1981
Cats was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
BILBO ‧ TA1PE 2Runout, etched, sides A and D
BILBO ‧ TA1PERunout, etched, sides B and C
2478149 A // 2 ∇ 1 E TO 12 6Runout, stamped, side A
2 478149 B // 4 ∇ (crossed out)1E TO 1 1 3Runout, stamped, side B
BILBO ‧ TA1PE 2Runout, etched, sides A and D
BILBO ‧ TA1PERunout, etched, sides B and C
2478149 A // 2 ∇ 1 E TO 12 6Runout, stamped, side A
2 478149 B // 4 ∇ (crossed out)1E TO 1 1 3Runout, stamped, side B
2478149 A // 3 ∇ E T0 1 1 2 4 BILBO ‧ TA1PERunout, side A
2 478149 B // 3 ∇ E T0 1 5 3 BILBO ‧ TA1PERunout, side B
2478150 A // 3 ∇ E T0 1 1 2 0 BILBO ‧ TA1PERunout, side C
2478150 B // 4 ∇ E T0 1 1 1 2 BILBO ‧ TA1PERunout, side D
W-29 CATS 6 A1 I BILBO ‧ TA1PERunout side A
W-1 CATS 6 B1 BILBO ‧ TA1PE IRunout side B
W-22 CATS 6 C1 BILBO ‧ TA1PE IRunout side C
W-25 CATS 7̶ 6 D1 BILBO ‧ TA1PE IRunout side D
2668025 ASide A runout, variant 1
2668025 BSide B runout, variant 1
2668025 CSide C runout, variant 1
2668025 DSide D runout, variant 1
2478 149ARecord 1 Side 1 - Variant 1
2478 149BRecord 1 Side 2 - Variant 1
2478 150ARecord 2 Side 1 - Variant 1
2478 150B-4Record 2 Side 2 - Variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australasia | Polydor 2668 025First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australasia | Polydor 2668 025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Polydor 2668 025 / Polydor 2478 149First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Australia | Polydor 2668 025First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Austria | Polydor 2668 025First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Canada | Geffen Records 2GHS 2017First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Canada | Geffen Records 2GHS 2017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2668 025First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2668 025First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2668 025First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2668 025First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | South Africa | Polydor DPOL 550First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 26 68 025First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor CATX 001First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor CATX 001First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | USA & Europe | PolydorLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2026 | Europe | LW Entertainment Ltd. ALW006VLP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Geffen Records 2GHS 2017LP | LP |
| ? | Germany | Polydor CATX 001LP, Repress | LP, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2668 025LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2668 025LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of Cats are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australasia, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor CATX 001, released June 30, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CATX 001, 2668 025, 2GHS 2017, DPOL 550) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BILBO ‧ TA1PE 2 and BILBO ‧ TA1PE. 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.
Requiem
1985 · 31 pressings
Variations
1978 · 29 pressings
The Premiere Collection - The Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber
1988 · 21 pressings
The Phantom Of The Opera
1987 · 20 pressings
Cats: Selections From The Original Broadway Cast Recording
1983 · 17 pressings
Cats (Complete Original Broadway Cast Recording)
1983 · 15 pressings
