Vinyl pressings
by Bob James · 1981
Sign Of The Times was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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-37495-1A COLUMBIA NY C OSide A runout, variant 1
BL-37495-1L COLUMBIA NY C OSide B runout, variant 1
AL--37495-1H COLUMBIA NYSide A runout, variant 2
BL-37495-1K COLUMBIA NYSide B runout, variant 2
AL 37495-1ABRunout side A
M BL 37495-1ADRunout side B
0 AL-37495-1H S1 COLUMBIA NY 4 A4Side A Stamped, except S1, 4 A4
0 BL-37495-1K S2 COLUMBIA NY A2Side B Stamped, Except S2, A2
AL 37495Side A Label
BL 37495Side B Label
AL-37495-1F 1 T COLUMBIA NY 1 VRunout A
BL-37495-1C T' COLUMBIA NY oRunout B
AL 37495A label
BL 37495B label
P o AL-37495-1D COLUMBIA NYSide A runout, variant 1
P o BL-37495-1A COLUMBIA NYSide B runout, variant 1
P o AL-37495-1AD A COLUMBIA NYSide A runout, variant 2
P o BL-37495-1AB A COLUMBIA NYSide B runout, variant 2
.CBSS-85226-A1 V 1 0Runout Side A
CBSS.85226-B1 V CRunout Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | CBS SBP 237707 / Tappan Zee Records SBP 237707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Epic 144735 / Epic 144.735First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 85226 / CBS CBS85226First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2112 / Tappan Zee Records 25AP 2112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2112 / Tappan Zee Records 25AP 2112First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5744First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | CBS/Sony LP 1537 / CBS/Sony FC 37495First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2676First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS S 85226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS 85226 / Tappan Zee Records CBS 85226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Tappan Zee Records FC 37495 / Columbia FC 37495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia HC 47495 / Tappan Zee Records HC 47495LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Tappan Zee Records FC 37495 / Columbia FC 37495First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Tappan Zee Records FC 37495 / Columbia FC 37495First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Tappan Zee Records FC 37495 / Columbia FC 37495First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Tappan Zee Records PC 37495 / Columbia PC 37495LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Tappan Zee Records PC 37495 / Columbia PC 37495LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
19 vinyl pressings of Sign Of The Times are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Tappan Zee Records FC 37495.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 37495, CBS 85226, SBP 237707, 144735) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-37495-1A COLUMBIA NY C O and BL-37495-1L COLUMBIA NY C O. 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.
