Vinyl pressings
by Bruce Johnston · 1977
Going Public 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.
11 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 8 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.
PAL-34459 -2G AZ[linked] A 1 pRunout side A, variant 1
PBL-34459 -2C AZ[linked] 2 G pRunout side B, variant 1
PAL-34459-2C AZ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ 2 A pRunout side A, variant 2
PBL-34459-2C AZ 2 A pRunout side B, variant 2
○ T1 PAL-34459-2F AZ[linked] ARunout side A
○ T1 PBL-34459-2F AZ[linked] ARunout side B
AL 34459Label side A
BL 34459Label side B
PAL-34459-2C AZ [two birds]Side 1 etched
PBL-34459-2C AZSide 2 etched
P̶C̶ AL-34459-1A-2G: oSide A runout
BL-34459-1B-2G: oSide B runout
' A MX178571 SBP234967-1Side A runout stamped
' A MX178572 SBP234967-2Side B runout stamped
MX178571Side A label
MX178572Side B label
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 SBP 234967First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS 81854 / CBS CBS 81854First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 568First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 234967First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | CBS ASF 1988First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 81854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34459 / Columbia 34459First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34459First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34459 / Columbia 34459First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PC 34459First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Going Public are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia PC 34459.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 34459, S CBS 81854, SBP 234967, 81854) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-34459 -2G AZ[linked] A 1 p and PBL-34459 -2C AZ[linked] 2 G p. 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.
