Vinyl pressings
by Bird · 1988
Bird was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
AL-44299-1A Dmm G MASTERDISK DMM AV B6Side A etched, variant 1
BL-44299-1B G2 MASTERDISK DMM-AV B7Side B etched, variant 1
AL-44299-1A Dmm G2 MASTERDISK DMM AV A4Side A etched, variant 2
BL-44299-1B G1 MASTERDISK DMM AV A2Side B etched, variant 2
4629247 (Crossed out) 4610021 A1A Side
4610021 B1
AL 44299Side A label
BL 44299Side B label
Δ MX251123 461002.1 S1Runout Side A - etched
Δ MX251124 461002.1 S2Runout Side B - etched
MX251123Label Side A
MX251124Label Side B
177.076 A -1-1-5 CBS-461002-1 (P)1988 EL CSide 1, Runout etched
177.076 B -1-1-12 CBS-461002-2 (P)1988 EL CSide 2, Runout etched
CBS - 461002 - 1Side 1, Matrix: Label
CBS - 461002 - 2Side 2, Matrix: Label
AL 44299Side A label
BL 44299Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | CBS CBS 461002 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Discos CBS 177.076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Columbia SC 44299First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS CBS 461002 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | CBS CBS 461002 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | CBS CBS 461002 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Africa | CBS ASF 3229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS CBS 461002 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | CBS CBS 461002 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Columbia SC 44299 / Columbia C 44299First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Zimbabwe | CBS ASF 3229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Columbia SC 44299First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Friday Music FRM-44299 / Columbia 88875113611LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
13 vinyl pressings of Bird are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1988 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia SC 44299.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SC 44299, CBS 461002 1, 177.076, ASF 3229) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-44299-1A Dmm G MASTERDISK DMM AV B6 and BL-44299-1B G2 MASTERDISK DMM-AV B7. 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.
