Vinyl pressings
by Bruce Springsteen · 1980
The River was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
62 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 20 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 PAL-36855 IM T̶H̶ 0 KP MASTERED BY CAPITOLVariant 1 - Side A: runout
T1 PBL-36855 IM T̶H̶ D KP MASTERED BY CAPITOLVariant 1 - Side B: runout
T1 PAL-36856 IAA T̶3̶ [?] A 0 KP MASTERED BY CAPITOLVariant 1 - Side C: runout
T1 PBL-36856 IAA T̶3̶ [?] D KP 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOLVariant 1 - Side D: runout
PAL-36855 IAH F35 MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout, Variant 1
PBL-36855 IBC F44 MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout, Variant 1
T1 PAL-36856 IAK MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide C runout, Variant 1
PBL-36856 ICD F55 MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide D runout, Variant 1
PAL-36855 IJ TF9 6Side A: runout etched.
PBL-36855 IF F6 BSide B: runout etched (B stamped)
PAL-36856 IF F6Side C: runout etched.
PBL-36856 IAD F16Side D: runout etched.
PAL-36855 1A F1 A MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP S1Runout A variant 1
PBL-36855 1B F2 B2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP S1Runout B variant 1
PAL-36856 1C F3 A MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP S1Runout C variant 1
PBL-36856 1B F2 D2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP S1Runout D variant 1
P <J-MP> PAL 36855 G/F[Variant 1] Runout A Side, Etched
(HXAP) P BL-36855 - G/E[Variant 1] Runout B Side, Etched
(HXAD) P AL-36856 - G/H[Variant 1] Runout C Side, Etched
(H-AD) BL-36856 - G/H G/P[Variant 1] Runout D Side, Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220235First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Brazil | Discos CBS 1 38209/10First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88510 / CBS 88510First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88510 / CBS PC2 36854First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88510 / CBS 88510First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88510 / CBS PC2 36854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88510 / CBS 88510First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88510 / CBS PC2 36854First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | CBS CBS 88510First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1980 | Greece | CBS CBS 88510First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 40AP 1960-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Ireland | CBS S CBS 88510First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Israel | CBS CBS 88510First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | CBS CBS 88510First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Columbia PC2 36854LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | US | Columbia 88875014261 / Columbia PC2 36854LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2015 | Europe | Columbia PC2 36854 / Columbia 88875014261LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | Europe | Columbia PC2 36854 / Columbia 88875014261LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | USA & Europe | Columbia PC2 36854 / Columbia 88875014261LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Columbia PC2 36854 / Columbia 88875014261LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Discos CBS 138633/4LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 88510 / CBS PC2 36854LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 88510 / CBS 88510LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 88510 / CBS 88510LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 88510LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Columbia PC2 36854 / Columbia 88875014261LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| ? | France | Columbia COL 88510 1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 88510LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Philippines | CBS/Sony LP-1457(40AP 1960-1)LP, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light BR 274LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Spain | CBS S 88510LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | CBS S 88510LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | CBS/Sony S 88510 / CBS S 88510LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | CBS S 88510LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | CBS/Sony S 88510LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
104 vinyl pressings of The River are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1980 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Columbia PC2 36854, released October 17, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC2 36854, S CBS 88510, CBS 88510, 88510) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 PAL-36855 IM T̶H̶ 0 KP MASTERED BY CAPITOL and T1 PBL-36855 IM T̶H̶ D KP MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
