Vinyl pressings
by Bill Withers · 1977
Menagerie was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
PXT P AL-34903-1H 1T BSide A runout
P PBL - 34903-1D MASTERDISK RL DSide B runout
AL 34903Side A label
BL 34903Side B label
PAL-34903-1F MASTERDISK RL A7 ƧRunout side A
PBL-34903-1F B 10 ƧRunout side B
PAL-34903-1F MASTERDISK RLRunout side 1
P BL 34903-1G (stamped)Runout side 2
PAL-34903-1E MASTERDISK RL A o T1Side A Runout, Variant 1
PBL-34903-1B MASTERDISK RL o T1Side B Runout, Variant 1
PAL-34903-1H 1T o ASide A Runout, Variant 2
PBL-34903-1B MASTERDISK RL o T1Side B Runout, Variant 2
P AL 34903-1J S1 A5Side A Runout (stamped, except S1 A5)
PBL-34903-1F A4 1SSide B Runout
AL 34903Side A Label
BL 34903Side B Label
p PAL-34903-1A MASTERDISK RL bRunout side A
p P BL 34903-1H DRunout side B
AL 34903Label side A
BL 34903Label side B
PAL-34903-1E MASTERDISK RL A T1Variant 2 Side A
PBL-34903-1B MASTERDISK RL D T1Variant 2 Side A
AL 34903Label side A
BL 34903Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 237117 / CBS JC 34903First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PC 34903First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 882First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | CBS CBS 82265First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Taiwan | Holy Hawk Record Co. Ltd. HH-6355LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 82265 / CBS 82265First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 34903 / Columbia 34903First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 34903First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 34903 / Columbia 34903First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 34903 / Columbia 34903First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 34903 / Columbia 34903First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 34903 / Columbia 34903First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 34903 / Columbia 34903First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 82265 / CBS JC 34903LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | CBS CBS 32694LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP434 / Columbia MOVLP434LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Menagerie are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1977 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia JC 34903, released October 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 34903, S CBS 82265, SBP 237117, PC 34903) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PXT P AL-34903-1H 1T B and P PBL - 34903-1D MASTERDISK RL D. 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.
