Vinyl pressings
by Blue Öyster Cult · 1977
Spectres 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.
26 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 10 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-35019-1C S D5Runout Side A, etched, variant 1
BL 35019-1H S1 A6Runout Side B, stamped except "S1 A6" etched, variant 1
AL-35019-1C S1Runout Side A, etched, variant 2
BL 35019-1C S1Runout Side B, etched, variant 2
AL35019-1C Ƨ 1 ARunout A
P BL 35019-1DRunout B
AL 35019Label A
BL 35019Label B
AL-35019-1G 1TSide A runout, variant 1
BL-35019-1E 1TSide B runout, variant 1
AL-35019-1DSide A runout, variant 2
BL-35019-1B 1TSide B runout, variant 2
P AL-35019-1C COLUMBIA NYSide A runout
P BL-35019-1B COLUMBIA NY C PSide B runout
0 P AL 35019-1AC COLUMBIA NY CVariant 2 Side A stamped
P P 0 P BL 35019-1AB COLUMBIA NY CVariant 2 Side B stamped
AL35019-1C C2side A, runout, etched
BL35019-1C D8side B, runout, etched
AL 35019side A label
BL 35019side B label
AL 35019-1G T1 (etched) o (stamped)AL.. and T1... are facing opposite directions
o BL 35019-1J (stamped) 1T A / (etched)
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 | Australia | CBS SBP 237078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 237078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 237078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 237078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 82371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 82371First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 82371First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Greece | CBS CBS 82371First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 831First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 831First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Rhodesia | CBS ASF 2051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | Columbia ASF2051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 86050 / CBS 86050First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 86050LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Columbia PC 35019 / Columbia 35019LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Spain | CBS S-82371LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | US | Culture Factory CFU01147 / Sony Music 19075802181LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3424LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3424 / Columbia MOVLP3424LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS 463078 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 82371 / CBS JC 35019LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 463078 / CBS CBS 463078 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 32715LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 32715LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
41 vinyl pressings of Spectres are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1977 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 35019, released October 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 35019, CBS 86050, SBP 237078, CBS 82371) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-35019-1C S D5 and BL 35019-1H S1 A6. 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.
