Vinyl pressings
by Billy Cobham · 1974
Total Eclipse was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ST-A-743253-BBB-1 AT PRRunout side A, variant 1
ST-A-743254-BBB-1 AT PRRunout side B, variant 1
ST-A-743253-BBB-1 AT PR DRunout side A, variant 2
ST-A-743254-BBB-1-11 AT PR DRunout side B, variant 2
ST-A-743253-B AT PRRunout side A, variant 1
ST-A-743254-B AT PRRunout side B, variant 1
ST-A-743253-B AT PRRunout side A, variant 2
ST-A-743254-D AT PRRunout side B, variant 2
ST-A-743253-D 0-1 SM 1-1 AT PR SPRunout, etched, side A, variant 1
ST-A-743254-B 0-1 AT PR SPRunout, etched, side B, variant 1
ST-A-743253-D 0-1 SM 1-1 AT PR SPRunout, etched, side A, variant 2
ST-A-743254-B 0-1 SM 1-2 AT PR SPRunout, etched, side B, variant 2
ST-A-743253-BB [MR Monarch logo] △19546(4) AT PRRunout A, etched, exc. logo, stamped
ST-A-743254-BB [MR Monarch logo] △19546-X(4) AT PRRunout B, etched, exc. logo, stamped
K.50098.A1 A 3Runout side A, variant 1
K.50098.B2 A 2Runout side B, variant 1
K•50098•A1 A 2Runout side A, variant 2
K•50098•B1 A 1Runout side B, variant 2
MX174429 S01 8121-1Side A Stamped
MX174430 S01 8121-2Side B Stamped
SD-18121 MX174429Side A Label
SD-18121 MX174430Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Atlantic SD 18121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Atlantic 50098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Atlantic 50098 / Atlantic 50.098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 098 / Atlantic SD-18121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50098 ZFirst yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Italy | Atlantic K 50098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | Atlantic K 50098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Atlantic P-8539AFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50098 / Atlantic SD-18121First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9547First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Atlantic K50098 / Atlantic K 50098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Atlantic SD 18121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Atlantic SD 18121First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Atlantic SD 18121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Atlantic P-6462ALP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Germany | Atlantic SD 18121 / Speakers Corner Records Atlantic SD 18121LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2021 | Europe | Atlantic SD 18121LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 098LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 098LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50089 / Atlantic ATL 50 089LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 098LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 18121LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Atlantic K 50098LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
29 vinyl pressings of Total Eclipse are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1974 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 18121.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 18121, K50098, 50098, ATL 50 098) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-743253-BBB-1 AT PR and ST-A-743254-BBB-1 AT PR. 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.
