Vinyl pressings
by Brand X · 1978
Masques was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 10 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.
CAS 1138A //2 T º 11Side A stamped, variant 1
CAS 1138B //1 T 1 2 4Side B stamped, variant 1
CAS 1138A //2 T 11Side A stamped, variant 2
CAS 1138B //1 T 1 2Side B stamped, variant 2
PB-9829-SA-2 A 11 T1Side A Etched
PB- 9829- SB -1 B2 T1Side B Etched
PB- 9829-SA-2 D1 T1Side A Etched Variant 2
PB- 9829-SB -1 A T1Side B Etched Variant 2
PB-9829-SA STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
PB-9829-SB STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
\ S PB-9829-A-RE-SM∙3 STERLINGSide 1, variant 1
/ S PB-9829-B-RE-SM∙3 STERLINGSide 2, variant 1
\ S PB- 9829-A- RE- SM∙3 SM-3 STERLING A3Side 1, variant 2
l S PB- 9829-B-RE-SM∙3 SM-3 STERLING A1Side 2, variant 2
PB-9829-SA, STERLINGRunout Side A [etched, stamped]
PB-9829-SB, STERLINGRunout Side B [etched, stamped]
PB-9829-SA, STERLING HABRunout Side A [etched, stamped], Variant 2
PB-9829-SB, STERLING HABRunout Side B [etched, stamped], Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | France | Charisma 9103125First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Charisma 9124 030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Charisma 9124 030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Charisma RJ-7521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Charisma RJ-7521First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Charisma 9124 030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | Charisma 9124 030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Charisma 91 24 030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Charisma CAS 1138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Charisma CAS 1138LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | Charisma CAS 1138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Passport Records PB 9829First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Passport Records PB 9829First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Passport Records PB 9829LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1978 | US | Passport Records PB 9829First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 206 965 / Virgin 206 965-270LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Masques are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1978 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Charisma CAS 1138.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAS 1138, PB 9829, 9211-1138, 9124 030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAS 1138A //2 T º 11 and CAS 1138B //1 T 1 2 4. 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.
