Vinyl pressings
by Carlos Santana · 1974
Illuminations was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 14 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.
P AL 32900-1B 1S A2 oSide A runout, variant 1
P BL 32900-1A S A4 oSide B runout, variant 1
P AL 32900-1B 1S A3 oSide A runout, variant 2
P BL 32900-1A 1S A3 oSide B runout, variant 2
P AL 32900-1HA-side stamped, variant 1
P BL 32900-1EB-side stamped, variant 1
P AL 32900-1EA-side stamped, variant 2
P BL 32900-1FB-side stamped, variant 2
P AL 32900-1B 1TSide A, stamped, 1T etched, var 1
P BL 32900-1A 1TSide B, stamped, 1T etched, var 1
o P AL 32900-1C T2 C3Side A, stamped, T2, 3 etched, var 2
o P BL 32900-1C 1T D9Side B, stamped, 1T, 9 etched, var 2
o IP AL 32900-1B 2 A2A-Side: P*1B Stamped: Variant 1
o P BL 32900-1A 1 A3B-Side: P*1A Stamped: Variant 1
o P AL 32900-1B 1 A-3Runout Side A, P*1B stamped, variant 2
o IP BL 32900-1A 1 A-3Runout Side B, P*1A stamped, variant 2
QAL 32900Side 1 Label
QBL 32900Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | CBS SBP 234478First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Columbia PC 32900First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Colombia | CBS 14435First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Colombia | CBS 14435First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Costa Rica | Indica, S.A. 100163First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Greece | CBS CBS 69063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | CBS CBS 69063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Malaysia | CBS/Sony PC 32900First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 474205First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | CBS S 69063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | CBS CBS 69063 / CBS S 69063First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Columbia C 32900LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1974 | US | Columbia PCO 32900First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1974 | Venezuela | CBS CS-10.179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Europe | CBS CBS 69063 / CBS PC 32900First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | CBS S 69063LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Columbia PC 32900 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP2367LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS 69063 / CBS CBS 69063LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | CBS 69063 / CBS CBS 69063LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-2664LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Columbia C 32900LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 32900LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia C 32900LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 32900LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Illuminations are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1974 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Columbia PC 32900, released September 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 32900, PCQ 32900, PCO 32900, CBS 69063) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 32900-1B 1S A2 o and P BL 32900-1A S A4 o. 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.
