Vinyl pressings
by Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie · 1982
Observations & was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 14 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.
E1 60123 A 2SH AR B-16617-A2 + SLM △1308Etched Side A
E1 60123 B 2SH AR B-16618-B2 + SLM △1308-XEtched Side B
E1-60123-ASide A label
E1-60123-BSide B label
S1 60123 A SP 1-1 SM 1-1Side A runout etched variant 1
S1 60123 B SP 1-1 SM 1-3Side B runout etched variant 1
STERLINGStamped both sides
E1 60123 A SP 1-1Side A runout etched variant 2
S1 60123 A SP 1-1 SM 1-1Etched Side A
S1 60123 B SP 1-1 SM 1-3Etched Side B
STERLINGStamped both sides
R/S Alsdorf 52386 A STRAWBERRY (G) 7A side runout, stamped, [7] etched
STRAWBERRY (G) R/S Alsdorf 52386 B 23B side runout, stamped, [23] etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Brazil | Elektra Musician 22054First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Elektra Musician XE1-60123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Elektra Musician MUS K 52 386 / Elektra Musician MUS 52 386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Elektra Musician MUS K 52 386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Elektra Musician MUS 52 386 / Elektra Musician MUS K 52 386 (E1-60123)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Elektra Musician MUS 52 386 / Elektra Musician MUS K 52 386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Elektra Musician MUS 52 386 / Elektra Musician K 52 386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Elektra Musician 52386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Elektra Musician 52386LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Italy | Elektra Musician MUS 52 386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Elektra Musician P-11233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Elektra Musician MUS 52 386 / Elektra Musician MUS K 52 386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Elektra Musician E1 60123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Elektra Musician MUS K 52 386First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Elektra Musician 52386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Elektra 80061LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light 59LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
22 vinyl pressings of Observations & are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Brazil, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Elektra Musician E1-60123.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E1-60123, 22054, XE1-60123, MUS K 52 386) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, E1 60123 A 2SH AR B-16617-A2 + SLM △1308 and E1 60123 B 2SH AR B-16618-B2 + SLM △1308-X. 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.
