Vinyl pressings
by Anthony Williams · 1979
The Joy Of Flying was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, 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.
AL-37505-1A STERLING pSide A Etch var 1
BL-37505-1D STERLING pSide B Etch var 1
AL-37505-1A STERLING pSide A Etch var 2
BL-37505-1A STERLING pSide B Etch var 2
2S AL-35705-1C STERLING 1ASide 1 Runout Etched (STERLING Stamped), Variant 1
1S BL-35705-1C STERLING C6Side 2 Runout Etched (STERLING Stamped), Variant 1
2S AL-35705-1C STERLING A2Side 1 Runout Etched (STERLING Stamped), Variant 2
1S BL-35705-1C STERLING C3Side 2 Runout Etched (STERLING Stamped), Variant 2
AL-35705-1A Sterling T1Side A
BL-35705-1D Sterling T1Side B
AL-35705-1E Sterling T1Side A variant 2
BL-35705-1B Sterling 1TSide B variant 2
AL-3705-1B B STERLING T
BL-3705-1B B STERLING T
AL 35705-1A-2HDA runout
BL 35705-1A-2HDB runout
AL 35705A label
BL 35705B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia JC 35705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83338First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83338 / CBS 83338First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1338First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | CBS CBS 83338First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | CBS CBS 83338 / CBS S CBS 83338First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35705First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35705LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Columbia HC 45705LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia JC 35705LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 35705LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of The Joy Of Flying are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Columbia JC 35705.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 35705, CBS 83338, 25AP 1338) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-37505-1A STERLING p and BL-37505-1D STERLING p. 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.
