Vinyl pressings
by Brian Eno · 1977
Before And After Science 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.
16 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 9 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.
2302071 A//3 T GONE BEFORE TO THAT UNKNOWN AND SILENT SHORERunout side A variant 1
2302071 B//2 T ARCANE BENEFITS OF CREEDRunout side B variant 1
2302071 A//3 T 1 5 2 GONE BEFORE TO THAT UNKNOWN AND SILENT SHORERunout side A variant 2
2302071 B//2 T 13 6 ARCANE BENEFITS OF CREEDRunout side B variant 2
2302071 A//3 T 149 GONE BEFORE TO THAT UNKNOWN AND SILENT SHORERunout, side A
2302071 B//2 T 164 ARCANE BENEFITS OF CREEDRunout, side B
2302 071 ALabel, side A
2302 071 BLabel, side B
T1 ILPS-9478-A-2 STERLINGSide A, runout, var 1
T1 ILPS-9478-B-2 STERLINGSide B, runout, var 1
T1 ILPS-9478-A STERLINGSide A, runout, var 2
T1 ILPS-9478-B-2 STERLINGSide B, runout, var 2
ILPS-9478-A STERLING PSide A runout, variant 1
ILPS-9478-B STERLING PSide B runout, variant 1
ILPS- 9478-A STERLING PSide A runout, variant 2
ILPS- 9478- B P STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
ILPS-9478-A x I A 3 STERLING PSide A runout, etched ("STERLING" and "P" stamped)
ILPS-9478-B I A STERLING PSide B runout, etched ("STERLING" and "P" stamped)
ILPS-9478-A x I Λ STERLING PSide A runout, variant 2
ILPS-9478-B I A STERLING PSide B runout, variant 2
ILPS-9478-A-1B A12 STERLING S1Runout Side A
ILPS-9478-B-1A C5 STERLING S2Runout Side B
ILPS 9478-ALabel Side A
ILPS 9478-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | France | Polydor 2310 547First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1977 | Germany | Polydor 2344 087First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Polydor 2344 087LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1977 | Italy | Polydor 2310 547First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Polydor 2310 573First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Polydor 2310 547 / Polydor 2310 547 AFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1131First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Polydor 2310 547First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Polydor 2310 547First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Polydor 2310 547First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2302 071First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Island Records ILPS-9478First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2302 071First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Island Records ILPS 9478First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Island Records ILPS 9478First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Editions EG ENO 4LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Canada | Editions EG ENO 4LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Editions EG ENO 4LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Editions EG ENO 4LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Brazil | Virgin 140 8004 / RCA 140 8004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Spain | EG EGLP 32LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | EG EGLP 32LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | EG EGLP 32LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Worldwide | Virgin EMI Records ENO2LP4 / UMC 0060255748424312", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2017 | UK & Europe | Virgin EMI Records ENOLP4LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2017 | UK & Europe | Virgin EMI Records ENOLP4LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo |
| 2017 | US | Astralwerks 2557951660LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9478LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Polydor 2310 547LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2344 087LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2344 087 / Polydor 2302 071LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | Polydor MPF 1131LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2302 071LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Editions EG EGLP-65LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
44 vinyl pressings of Before And After Science are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1977 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Polydor 2302 071, released December 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2302 071, ILPS 9478, ILPS-9478, 2310 547) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2302071 A//3 T GONE BEFORE TO THAT UNKNOWN AND SILENT SHORE and 2302071 B//2 T ARCANE BENEFITS OF CREED. 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.
