Vinyl pressings
by Charles Earland · 1976
Odyssey was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, the album's first year, in 3 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 SRM-1-1049 CT A-1 STERLING BSide A runout, variant 1
T1 SRM-1-1049 CT B-1 STERLING ASide B runout, variant 1
T1 SRM-1-1049 CT A-1 STERLING BSide A runout, variant 2
T1 SRM-1-1049 CT B-2 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
SRM-1-1049 CPA-3Side A runout
SRM-1-1049 CPB-4Side B runout
T SRM-1-1049 CPA-2side A runout etched
T SRM-1-1049 CTB-1side B runout etched
STERLINGside A runout stamped
STERLINGside B runout stamped
SRM-1-1049 CPA-3 STERLINGEtched in runout, Side A
SRM-1-1049 CPB-4 STERLINGEtched in runout, Side B
S1 SRM-1-1049 CSA-5 STERLING 3ASide A runout
S2 SRM-1-1049 CSB-6 STERLING A1Side B runout
T SRM -1-1049 CTA-1 A6 STERLING
T SRM -1-1049 CTB-1 C STERLING
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-1049 / Mercury 6336 668First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7099First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1049First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1049First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1049LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1049First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Misprint, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1049First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | Mercury 6338 668LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Odyssey are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Canada, Japan. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-1049, released February 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-1049, RJ-7099) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 SRM-1-1049 CT A-1 STERLING B and T1 SRM-1-1049 CT B-1 STERLING A. 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.
