Vinyl pressings
by Bob Marley & The Wailers · 1977
The Birth Of A Legend 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.
12 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 6 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 34759-1F COLUMBIA NYRunout Side A variant 1
BL 34759-1F COLUMBIA NYRunout Side B variant 1
P AL 34759-1F COLUMBIA NY o P C1Runout Side A variant 2
BL 34759-1F COLUMBIA NY C P oRunout Side B variant 2
AL 34759-1B TRunout Side A Etched & Stamped
BL 34759-1B TRunout Side B Etched & Stamped
AL 34759Label Side A
BL 34759Label Side B
P AL 34759-1F COLUMBIA NYRunout Side A (stamped)
BL 34759-1F COLUMBIA NYRunout Side B (stamped)
AL 34759Label Side A
BL 34759Label Side B
EPC .S. 82066. A1. 6 ΛRunout side A
EPC. S. 82066. A1. 2 BRunout side B
EPC .S. 82066. A1. 6 ^Runout side1 variant 2
EPC . S . 82066. B1. :)Runout Side2 variant2
CBS31815.A-1side A
CBS31815.B-1side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP237021First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP237021First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS CSP 136LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Europe | Epic EPC 82066 / Calla Records ZX 34759First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | Epic EPC 82066 / Calla Records ZX 34759First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Greece | Epic EPC 32088First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237021First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | Calla Records S CBS 31815First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Epic EPC 32088 / CBS 32088First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Calla Records PZ 34759 / Calla Records 34759First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | Calla Records ZX34759LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1977 | US | Calla Records PZ 34759 / Calla Records 34759First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Calla Records ZX 34759LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | Epic ZX 34759 / Calla Records 34759First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | Epic S EPC 82066 / Calla Records S EPC 82066First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Europe | Embassy 31815 / CBS 31815LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Portugal | CBS CBS 31815 / Embassy CBS 31815LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Embassy EMB 31815LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS STR 20062LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Calla Records PZ 34759 / Calla Records 34759LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Calla Records PZ 34759 / Calla Records 34759LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBS 32088LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | CBS 32088LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Spain | CBS 32088LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Epic 468341 1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS CSP 136LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | CBS 231147 / Discos CBS 231.147LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Embassy EMB 31815 / CBS ZX 34759LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32088 / Calla Records CBS 32088LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS 32088 / Epic 82066LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32088 / Calla Records CBS 32088LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Epic EPC 32088 / CBS 32088LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Greece | Epic EPC 32088LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Ireland | CBS 31815 / Embassy 31815LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Israel | CBS CBS 32088 / CBS EPC 82066LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Epic EPC 82066LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Netherlands | Epic EPC 82066 / Calla Records EPC 82066LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | CBS CSP 136 / Harmony CSP 136LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS 31815 / Embassy 31815LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Epic EPC 32088LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
46 vinyl pressings of The Birth Of A Legend are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1977 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Calla Records PZ 34759.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PZ 34759, ZX 34759, S EPC 82066, EPC 32088) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 34759-1F COLUMBIA NY and BL 34759-1F COLUMBIA NY. 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.
