Vinyl pressings
by Bob James · 1980
H was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1980, 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 AL 36422-2D C O 3 TIRunout Side A, variant 1
P BL 36422-1G A O TIRunout Side B, variant 1
AL 36422-2ARunout Side A, variant 2
BL 36422-1DRunout Side B, variant 2
AL 36422-2A P ASide A Runout
P BL 36422-1C DSide B Runout
AL 36422Side A Label
BL 36422Side B Label
P AL 36422-2D C o 8 T1Side A Runout variant 1
P BL 36422-1G A o 7 T1Side B Runout variant 1
AL 36422-2A I S XTSide A Runout variant 2
P BL 36422-1G D T 1Side B Runout variant 2
p AL 36422-2AA runout
p BL 36422-1AB runout
AL 36422A label
BL 36422B label
AL 36422-2J P 0Side A runout
BA⃫L 36422 G1 🄱 B P <B-AD>Side B runout
AL 36422Side A matrix center label
BL 36422Side B matrix center 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | CBS SBP 237454 / Tappan Zee Records SBP 237454First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Tappan Zee Records JC 36422 / Columbia JC 36422First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | CBS 84238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Hong Kong | Tappan Zee Records 25AP 1870First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1870(TZ) / Tappan Zee Records 25AP 1870First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Tappan Zee Records CLS 5689 / CBS CLS 5689First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237454First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2539 / Tappan Zee Records ASF 2539First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | CBS STR 31002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | CBS S 84238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS S CBS 84238 / Tappan Zee Records S CBS 84238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS S CBS 84238First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | US | Tappan Zee Records JC 36422First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Tappan Zee Records AS 808 / Columbia AS 808First yearLP, Promo, Sampler · Promo | LP, Promo, Sampler · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Tappan Zee Records JC 36422 / Columbia JC 36422First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Tappan Zee Records JC 36422 / Columbia JC 36422LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of H are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Tappan Zee Records JC 36422.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36422, AS 808, S CBS 84238, CBS 84238) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 36422-2D C O 3 TI and P BL 36422-1G A O TI. 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.
