Vinyl pressings
by Anne Murray · 1981
Blessed Are The Believers 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.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
S45-97413 F2 (4987) #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁ KPA-side runout, etched, except MASTERED BY CAPITOL, stamped
S45-97415 F2 (4987) #4 ─◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLB-side runout, etched, except MASTERED BY CAPITOL, stamped
S-97413A-side label
S-97415B-side label
S45-97413 F1 (4987) #5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0 KPEtched Side A, except MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0 stamped
S45-97415 F1 (4987) #5 KP 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOLEtched Side B, except 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped
S97413
S97415
PRO (Etched out) - 4987 F2 ( 97413 ) MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPSide A
S45-97415 F1 (4987) #5 KP 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOLEtched Side B, except 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped
S97413
S97415
kp S45-97413 F3-(4987) MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲Runouts (Both Sides)
S97413Labels
97413Side A label
97415Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Barbados | Capitol Records 4987First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Capitol Records 4987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-17135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1A006-86383First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Capitol Records F 4987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Capitol Records 11C 008-86383 HFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records 4987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records 4987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records P-4987First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records 4987First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records CP-4697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Blessed Are The Believers are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Barbados, Canada, Netherlands and more. One of them is Capitol Records 4987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4987, P-4987, 1A006-86383, F 4987) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S45-97413 F2 (4987) #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁ KP and S45-97415 F2 (4987) #4 ─◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
