Vinyl pressings
by Bob James · 1977
BJ4 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.
25 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 13 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 RVG 87735 A-4 VAN GELDERA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
p RVG 87735 B-3 VAN GELDERB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
p RVG 87735 A-4 VAN GELDERA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
p RVG 87735 B-4 VAN GELDERB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
T1 RVG 87735-A-6 : CTH VAN GELDER CA-side runout, etched and stamped
T1 RVG 87735-B-2 : CTH VAN GELDERB-side runout, etched and stamped
RVG 87735 AA-side label matrix
RVG 87735 BB-side label matrix
p RVG-87735-A-10 VAN GELDER 1AA-Side Runout Etching
p RVG-87735-B-8 VAN GELDER 3BB-Side Runout Etching
RVG 87735 AA-Side Label
RVG 87735 BB-Side Label
T 1 RVG·87735·A-1 CTH VAN GELDER A1Side A runout
T 1 RVG 87735·B-2 CTH VAN GELDER C2Side B runout
RVG 87735 ASide A label
RVG 87735 BSide B label
I S RVG·87735-A-5 VAN GELDER B 10Side A runout
I S RVG 87735·B-5 VAN GELDER B3Side B runout
RVG 87735 ASide A label
RVG 87735 BSide B label
RVG: 87735-A-5 ' VAN GELDER C 10 1 5Runout A
RVG 87735 ∙ B-5 ∙ VAN GELDER A13 15Runout B
RVG 87735 AA label
RVG 87735 BB label
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 | CTI Records 6489 023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 237674 / Tappan Zee Records SBP 237674LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | CTI Records CTI 7074 / Continental 3.42-404-018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 7074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 7074First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 7074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | CTI Records CTI 7074First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | CTI Records 63.020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | CTI Records 63.020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CTI Records GP-3100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CTI Records GP-3100First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | Gamma GX -01-930First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CTI Records CTI 7074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Philippines | CTI Records CTA-1001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Rhodesia | Gallo CTI 6536 / CTI Records CTI 6536First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Tappan Zee Records FC 36838 / Columbia FC 36838LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Tappan Zee Records 20AP 2008 / CBS/Sony 20AP 2008LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5723LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Tappan Zee Records FC 36838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | CBS STR 20076LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Tappan Zee Records FC 36838 / CBS FC 36838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS 84823LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | USSR | Мелодия С60 20309 000LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | USSR | Мелодия С60 20309 000LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | Tappan Zee Records PC 36838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Nigeria | CBS JC 36838 / CBS JC 36838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Venezuela | CBS JZ 20030LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Korea | CBS KJPL-0542 (PC-36838)LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Kelly KY-2002LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | Turkey | Oscar Music Co. OMC 10001LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Tappan Zee Records FC 36838 / Columbia FC 36838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of BJ4 are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1977 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is CTI Records CTI 7074.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CTI 7074, RVG 87735, 6489 023, 63.020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p RVG 87735 A-4 VAN GELDER and p RVG 87735 B-3 VAN GELDER. 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.
