Vinyl pressings
by Brian Auger · 1978
Encore 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.
16 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.
BSK-1-3153-LW1 KENDUN-ASide 1 runout variant 1
BSK-2-3153-LW1 KENDUN-ASide 2 runout variant 1
BSK-1-3153-LW3•• 1 KENDUN-A ✲Side 1 runout variant 2
BSK-2-3153-LW3•• 1 ✲ KENDUN-ASide 2 runout variant 2
BSK-1-3153-JW1 #2 KENDUN-A JG 0Runout A etch / KENDUN, 0 stamped
BSK-2-3153-JW1 #1 KENDUN-B 0Runout B etch / KENDUN, 0 stamped
BSK-1-3153-WW1 · ─◁ KENDUN-A JGRunout Side A
BSK-2-3153-WW1 · ─◁ KENDUN-A JGRunout Side B
S-9 K56458 - A1 - IS EGSide A
S-5 K56458 - B1 - IS EGSide B
/△ MX185175 BSK3153-1Side A stamped
/△ MX185176 BSK3153-2Side B stamped
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 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3153First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Belgium | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3153First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3153LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 458First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 458First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 458Album, LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | Album, LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 458First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1978 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56458First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10575WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10575WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3153First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 56458First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 56458First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
19 vinyl pressings of Encore are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3153.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3153, K 56458, WB 56 458, W 56458) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3153-LW1 KENDUN-A and BSK-2-3153-LW1 KENDUN-A. 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.
