Vinyl pressings
by Blue Öyster Cult · 1981
Fire Of Unknown Origin was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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 37389-2BSide A runout stamped, variant 1
P BL 37389-1ASide B runout stamped, variant 1
P AL 37389-2JSide A runout stamped, variant 2
P BL 37389-1ADSide B runout stamped, variant 2
P AL 37389-2E 1TSide A Stamped [1T Etched] variant 1
P BL 37389-1G 1TSide B Stamped [1T Etched] variant 1
P AL 37389-2F 1TSide A Stamped [1T Etched] variant 2
P BL 37389-1H 1TSide B Stamped [1T Etched] variant 2
M [stamped] G1 AL 37389 G/4[scratched out] G2A Ch cT B5Side A runout (etched, except as noted)
M [stamped] G1 BL 37389 G2A ChcT A7Side B runout (etched, except as noted)
AL 37389Side A label
BL 37389Side B label
P AL 37389-2A [Stamped] A6 1S [Etched]Runout Side A, variant 1
P BL 37389-1A [Stamped] C2 1S [Etched]Runout Side B, variant 1
o P AL 37389-2B [Stamped] 1S B8 [Etched]Runout Side A, variant 2
P BL 37389-1C [Stamped] S2 A4 [Etched]Runout Side B, variant 2
o P AL 37389-2B S1 A5Runout A, var. 1
P BL 37389-2G o A12 1SRunout B, var. 1
o P AL 37389-2D CRunout A, var. 2
o P BL 37389-1K CRunout B, var. 2
P AL 37389-2F 1T oVariant 1: Side A stamped, except "1T o"
o 1T P BL 37389-1HVariant 1: Side B stamped, except "1T o"
P AL 37389-2F 1T o AVariant 2: Side A stamped, except "1T"
P BL 37389-1G 1T o CVariant 2: Side B stamped, except "1T"
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | CBS SBP 237653First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS SBP 237653First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Discos CBS 138.542First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 85137 / CBS 85137First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 85137 / CBS 85137First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | CBS CBS 85137First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | CBS 85137First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2096First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP-2096First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237653First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2660First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS S 85137First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Taiwan | Kapok GT-037LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1981 | UK | CBS 85137 / CBS S CBS 85137First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | CBS 85137First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | US | Culture Factory USA, Inc. CFU01149 / Sony Music 19075801861LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2569 / Columbia MOVLP2569LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2569 / Columbia MOVLP2569LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 85137 / CBS 85137LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 37389LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of Fire Of Unknown Origin are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1981 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia FC 37389, released June 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 37389, PC 37389, 85137, SBP 237653) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 37389-2B and P BL 37389-1A. 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.
