Vinyl pressings
by Brownsville Station · 1978
Air Special 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.
12 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 5 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.
T1 AL-35606-1B (etched) STERLING C (stamped)Side 1, etched (variant 1)
T1 AL-35606-1E (etched) STERLING B (stamped)Side 1, etched (variant 2)
T1 BL-35606-1B (etched) STERLING A (stamped)Side 2, etched (variant 1)
T1 BL-35606-1B (etched) STERLING C (stamped)Side 2, etched (variant 2)
AL-35606-1DRunout Side A, Etched
BL-35606-1ARunout Side B, Etched
STERLINGRunout Both Sides, Stamped
AL 35606Matrix Side A, On Label
1S AL-35606-1F A2Runout Side A, Etched (Variant 1)
1S BS-35606-1C C6Runout Side B, Etched (Variant 1)
1S AL-35606-1F A6Runout Side A, Etched (Variant 2)
1S BL-35606-1F B 2Runout Side B, Etched (Variant 2)
AL-35606-1DEtched, Runout Side A
BL-35606-1AEtched, Runout Side B
STERLINGStamped, Both Runouts
AL 35606Label, Side A
IS AL-35606-1F STERLING A 3Etched, Runout Side A ("STERLING" stamped)
IS BL-35606-1F STERLING B 3Etched, Runout Side B ("STERLING" stamped)
AL 35606Label, Side A
BL 35606Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Epic PE 35606First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Europe | Epic EPC 83161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Europe | Epic EPC 83161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Epic 25-3P-85First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Epic 25-3P-85First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Epic S EPC 83161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35606First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35606First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35606First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35606First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35606First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic PE 35606First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Air Special are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Epic JE 35606.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JE 35606, S EPC 83161, PE 35606, EPC 83161) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 AL-35606-1B (etched) STERLING C (stamped) and T1 AL-35606-1E (etched) STERLING B (stamped). 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.
