Vinyl pressings
by Bob Dylan · 1985
Biograph was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 5 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.
AL38831-1B D G1 B2 STERLING ⚾︎Side A runout
BL38831-1B D G1 A11 STERLING ⚾︎Side B runout
AL38832-1B D G1 STERLING A9 STERLING G1 1Side C runout
BL38832-1D D G1 A14 STERLINGSide D runout
△ MX216619 SBP8126-1Side A runout etched
△ MX216620 SBP8126-2Side B runout etched
△ MX216621 SBP8127-1Side C runout etched
△ MX216622 SBP8127-2Side D runout etched
△L_38831 138.658 △ EL C 315Runout Side A
BL_38831 -1-2- 138.658 B EL CRunout Side B
△L_38832 EL C 400.025 △ 1-1-4Runout Side C
BL_38832 EL C 400.025 B -1-1-6Runout Side D
AL-38831-1CA-side, etching
BL-38831-1CB-side, etching
AL-38832-1CC-side, etching
BL-38832-G1BD-side, etching
AL 38831-2 AA 01-66509-1A ASide A runout, variant 1
BL 38831-2 AB 01-66509-2B ASide B runout, variant 1
AL 38832-1 AB 01-66509-2C ASide C runout, variant 1
BL-38832-1 AA 01-66509-1D ASide D runout, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | CBS S5BP 703First yearBox Set, Compilation, LP | Box Set, Compilation, LP |
| 1985 | Brazil | CBS 138.658First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1985 | Brazil | CBS 400024-028First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia C5X 38830First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 66509First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1985 | US | Columbia C5X 38830 / Columbia 38830LP, Album, Box Set, Compilation, Deluxe Edition, Remastered | LP, Album, Box Set, Compilation, Deluxe Edition, Remastered |
| 1985 | US | Columbia C5X 38830 / Columbia 38830-LPLP, Album, Box Set, Compilation, Deluxe Edition, Remastered | LP, Album, Box Set, Compilation, Deluxe Edition, Remastered |
| 1985 | US | Columbia C5X 38830 / Columbia 38830-LPFirst yearLP, Box Set, Compilation, Deluxe Edition | LP, Box Set, Compilation, Deluxe Edition |
| 1986 | Spain | CBS S 66509LP, Compilation, Deluxe Edition, Remastered, Stereo, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Compilation, Deluxe Edition, Remastered, Stereo, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1986 | New Zealand | CBS S5BP703 / CBS S5BP 703LP, Compilation, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Compilation, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1986 | Japan | CBS/Sony 00AP 3136~40LP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
11 vinyl pressings of Biograph are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia C5X 38830, released November 7, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C5X 38830, S5BP 703, 138.658, 400024-028) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL38831-1B D G1 B2 STERLING ⚾︎ and BL38831-1B D G1 A11 STERLING ⚾︎. 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.
