Vinyl pressings
by Barclay James Harvest · 1976
Octoberon 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.
15 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.
2442144 A // 1 P 1 7 10Runout, A-side, variation 1
2442144 B // 2 420 03 1 1 1 C 1 6Runout, B-side, variation 1
2442144 A // 1 P 1 8 2Runout, A-side, variation 2
2442144 B // 2 420 03 1 1 1 C 1 7Runout, B-side, variation 2
MCA 1098 W-3Side 1 Runout Etched
MCA 1099 W-3Side 2 Runout Etched
MCA 1098 W-2Side 1 Runout Etched
MCA 1099 W-2Side 2 Runout Etched
MCA 1098 W-2 ◈-P-◈Runout area side A
MCA 1099 W-2 ◈-P-◈Runout area side B
MCA 1098Label side A
MCA 1099Label side B
MCA 1098 W-3 ⧈-G-⧈Runout, Side A, Variant 1 and 2
MCA 1099 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout, Side B, Variant 1
MCA 1099 W-3 ⧈-G-⧈Runout, Side B, Variant 2
MCA 1098Label, side A
POL 2383 407 1 380 CI DISSide 1
POL 2383 407 2 380 CIDISSide 2
2442144 A // 1 P 1 2Runout, Side A
2442144 B // 1 P 1 2Runout, 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 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2383 407First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2383 407First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Stereo | LP, Album, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor 2383 407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor 2383 407First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor 2383 407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Polydor 2383 407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Portugal | Polydor 2383407 / Polydor 2 383 407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | Polydor 2383 407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA-2234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA-2234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA-2234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Polydor 2383 407First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Ireland | Polydor 2442 144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Polydor 2442 144 / Polydor 2442-144First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2234 / MCA Records MCA 2234LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2234LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MSM-35037 / MCA Records MSM - 35037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor SPELP 13 / Polydor 2442 144LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | Polydor 2383 407LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Polydor 2383 407LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2383 407LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor 2383 407LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor 2383 407LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2383 407LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2383 407LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Polydor 2383 407LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Portugal | Polydor 2383407LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2442 144LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2442 144LP, White Label | LP, White Label |
39 vinyl pressings of Octoberon are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1976 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, France, Ireland and more. One of them is Polydor 2442 144, released October 1, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2442 144, MCA-2234, 2383 407, 2383407) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2442144 A // 1 P 1 7 10 and 2442144 B // 2 420 03 1 1 1 C 1 6. 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.
