Vinyl pressings
by Blue Öyster Cult · 1980
Cultösaurus Erectus was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
P AL 36550-1ABSide A runout, variant 1
P BL 36550-1CSide B runout, variant 1
P AL 36550-1DSide A runout, variant 2
P BL 36550-1CSide B runout, variant 2
T1 P AL 36550-1 ̶H̶ ̶ JSide 1 stamped T1 J etched, variant 1
P BL 36550-1E T1Side 2 stamped T1 etched, variant 1
T1 P AL 36550-1K BSide 1 stamped T1 K etched, variant 2
P BL 36550-1E 1T 6CSide 2 stamped 1T 6 etched, variant 2
P AL 36550-1B 1S B5Side A stamped, variant 1, 1S B5 etched
P BL 36550-1A 1S A5Side B stamped, variant 1, 1S A5 etched
P AL 36550-1B 1S B4Side A stamped, variant 2, 1S B4 etched
P BL 36550-1B 1S A1Side B stamped, variant 2, 1S A1 etched
T1 P AL 36550-1 ̶H̶ ̶ J CSide 1
P P BL 36550-1G XG F3Side 2
P AL 36550-1BSIDE A
P BL 36550-1ASIDE B
P AL 36550-1DSide A (variant 1)
P BL 36550-1CSide B (variant 1)
S CBS 86120 A4A side, Variant 1
S CBS 86120 B4B side, Variant 1
S CBS 86120 A3A side, Variant 2
S CBS 86120 B6B side, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | CBS SBP 237493First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS SBP 237493First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Brazil | CBS 138198 / Discos CBS 138.198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 86120 / CBS 86120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 86120 / CBS AL 36550First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | CBS CBS 86120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Ireland | CBS S CBS 86120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | CBS 86120 / CBS CBS 86120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1894First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1894First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237493First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | CBS S 86120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS 86120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS 86120 / CBS S CBS 86120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36550LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36550LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36550LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36550LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
28 vinyl pressings of Cultösaurus Erectus are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1980 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 36550.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36550, 86120, SBP 237493, 138198) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 36550-1AB and P BL 36550-1C. 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.
