Vinyl pressings
by Bob Dylan · 1985
Empire Burlesque 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.
30 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 21 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 AP AL40110-1H STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
⚾︎ P AP BL40110-1A STERLING ⚾︎Side B runout, variant 1
A o AL40110-1H D STERLING ⚾︎Side A runout, variant 2
⚾︎ P-AP o BL-40110-1A STERLING ⚾︎ DSide B runout, variant 2
AL40110-1C (AP) G1 STERLING ⊗Var. 1: Side A runout
BL40110-1M G STERLING ⊗Var. 1: Side B runout
AL40110-1C (AP) G1 STERLING ⊗Var. 2: Side A runout
BL·40110-1A STERLING ⊗ D24 ⊕ P-AP GVar. 2: Side B runout
AL40110-1H STERLING oSide A runout
BL40110-1K P T STERLING ⊗ oSide B runout
AL 40110Side A label
BL 40110Side B label
AL-40110-1A-2Z: DM-2Side A runout, variant 1
BL-40110-1A-2Z: DM-2Side B runout, variant 1
AL-40110-1A-2Z: DM1Side A runout, variant 2
BL-40110-1A-2Z: DM5Side B runout, variant 2
P AP AL40110-1H QCL-22189 ASide 1 runout etched
⊗ P AP BL40110-1A ⊗ QCL-22189 BSide 2 runout etched
STERLINGStamped both sides
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 | Argentina | Columbia 20.650 / CBS 20.650First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Argentina | Columbia 20.650 / CBS 20.650First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Argentina | Columbia 20.650 / CBS 20.650First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8070First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Brazil | CBS 138.636 / CBS 138636First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 86313 / CBS 86313First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 86313 / CBS 86313LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 86313 / CBS 86313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | CBS CBS 86313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA1087First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | CBS CBS 86313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Israel | CBS 86313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP3050First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1985 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5834First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Columbia MOVLP1570 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP1570LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | Italy | Columbia FC 40110LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | UK | Columbia FC 40110LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | CBS 138636 / Discos CBS 138.636LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Columbia COL 467840 1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 86313 / CBS 86313LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | CBS S 86313LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | CBS S 86313LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
39 vinyl pressings of Empire Burlesque are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1985 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Canada, Philippines, South Africa and more. One of them is Columbia FC 40110, released May 30, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 40110, QCL-22189 FC 40110, DNW 3076, S 86313) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AP AL40110-1H STERLING and ⚾︎ P AP BL40110-1A 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.
