Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1982
The Nylon Curtain 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.
38 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 23 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 38200 1AC STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
BL 38200 1E STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
AL 38200 1AC STERLING G1Runout side A, Variant 2
BL 38200 1AE STERLING G1Runout side B, Variant 2
TI AL 38200 1D C STERLING TJ oA side runout variant 1
TI BL 38200 1C A STERLING TJ oB side runout variant 1
TI AL 38200 1C C STERLING TJ oA side runout variant 2
TI BL 38200 1AA A STERLING TJ oB side runout variant 2
AL 38200 1B STERLING TJ P oRunout side A, variant 1
BL 38200 1L STERLING P oRunout side B, variant 1
AL 38200 1B B STERLING TJ P oRunout side A, variant 2
BL 38200 1L A STERLING P oRunout side B, variant 2
AL 38200 1HRunout, Side A variant 1
BL 38200 1LRunout, Side B variant 1
AL 38200 1ARunout, Side A variant 2
BL 38200 1LRunout, Side B variant 2
AL 38200 1A STERLINGA-Side Deadwax
BL 38200 1G STERLINGB-Side Deadwax
AL 38200A-Side Label
BL 38200B-Side Label
P C AL 38200 1A C STERLINGA-Side Deadwax
() BL 38200 1L C STERLINGB-Side Deadwax
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 | Argentina | Columbia 20.353First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | CBS SBP 237821 / Family Productions SBP 237821First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | CBS 138543 / Discos CBS 138543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Colombia | CBS 14-1613First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100708First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBS 85959 / CBS 85959First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBS 85959 / CBS 85959First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | CBS CBS 85959 / Family Productions CBS 85959First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 2400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Ireland | CBS CBS 85959First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | CBS CBS 85959First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | CBS CBS 85959First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2400First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 2401First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2400First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | Columbia P763405 / Friday MusicLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Friday Music FRM 38200 / Columbia P763405LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2014 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-38712", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UK, Europe & US | Columbia 19439957181 / Legacy 19439957181LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 460186 1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | CBS CX 85959 / CBS 85959LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS 460186 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
54 vinyl pressings of The Nylon Curtain are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1982 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Columbia TC 38200, released September 23, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TC 38200, SBP 237821, 85959, TCX 38200) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 38200 1AC STERLING and BL 38200 1E STERLING. 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.
