Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1977
The Stranger 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.
77 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 21 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.
P AL-34987-3A STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
BL-34987-4A TJSide B runout, variant 1
P AL-34987-3A STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
P BL-34987-4J STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
AL 34987 3BB o A12 STERLING TJ S2Runout A, variant 1
BL 34987 4CA o A8 STERLING TJ SRunout B, variant 1
AL 34987 3BB o A12 STERLING TJ S2Runout A, variant 2
BL 34987 4CA o A8 STERLING TJ SRunout B, variant 2
T1 AL 34987 3AK STERLINGA side runout, variant 1
T1 BL 34987 4BB STERLING TJB side runout, variant 1
AL 34987-3AB 1T STERLINGA side runout, variant 2
BL 34987-4G 1T STERLINGB side runout, variant 2
AL-34987-2AA Side runout, variant 1
BL-34987-2AB Side runout, variant 1
AL-34987-2AA Side runout, variant 2
BL-34987-3AB Side runout, variant 2
P AL 34987 - 3L DRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
BL 34987 - 4ABRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
P AL 34987 - 3AARunout side A, stamped, variant 2
BL 34987 - 4ABRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
P AL 34987 3AAA Side Runout, Variant 1
P BL 34987 4AAB Side Runout, Variant 1
P P AL 34987-3AAA Side Runout, Variant 2
P P BL 34987-4AD IB Side Runout, Variant 2
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 | Argentina | CBS 119850 / CBS 119.850First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 237057 / Family Productions SBP 237057First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 237057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PC 34987 / Family Productions PC 34987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PCX 34987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PCX 34987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Colombia | CBS 14-1120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Costa Rica | CBS 100365First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 82311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 82311 / CBS JC 34987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | CBS CBS 82311 / Family Productions JC 34987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 843First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 843First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Ireland | CBS S CBS 82311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Israel | CBS CBS 82311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia APH (C)-5002 / CBS Mastersound APH(C) 5002LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia HC 44987 / Family Productions HC 44987LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS CX 82311 / CBS CX 82311LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBSH 82311 / CBS 82311LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 1874LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | CBS HC 34987 / CBS 34987LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 34987 / Family Productions JC 34987LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 34987 / Family Productions JC 34987LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Columbia HC 34987LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| 1980 | US | CBS HC 44987 / CBS 44987LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 34987 / Family Productions JC 34987LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 34987 / Family Productions JC 34987LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | South Africa | CBS COL 40048 / CBS BL 34987LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | CBS CX 82311 / CBS CBS CX 82311LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | CBS 450914 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 0079 / Columbia 82311LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1998 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 0079LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | Columbia 88697 31858 1 / Legacy 88697 31858 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2008 | US | Columbia 88697 31858 1 / Legacy 88697 31858 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP170LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2012 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP170 / Columbia MOVLP170LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2013 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-383 / Columbia 8872546978112", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2013 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-383 / Columbia 8872546978112", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2017 | US | Brookvale Records BRK 284LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Picture disc |
| 2017 | US | Brookvale Records BRK 284 / Columbia 88985432371LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Columbia 19075939201 / Columbia 19439892981S1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | Europe | Sony Music 19075939201 / Columbia 19075939201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | US | Columbia 19075939201A / Columbia 19075939201BLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | US | Columbia 88697 31858 1 / Legacy 88697 31858 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia VPCX 34987LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia PC 34987 / Family Productions PC 34987LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 82311LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS 450914 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBSH 82311LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 82311LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CX 82311LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CX 82311 / CBS 82311LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo 509LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 82311LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia 34987 / Columbia PC 34987LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 34987 / Family Productions JC 34987LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 34987 / Columbia 34987LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 34987 / Columbia 34987LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 34987 / Family Productions JC 34987LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
139 vinyl pressings of The Stranger are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1977 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 34987, released September 29, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 34987, JC34987, AL34987, CBS 82311) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL-34987-3A STERLING and BL-34987-4A TJ. 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.
