Vinyl pressings
by Cocteau Twins · 1988
Blue Bell Knoll was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 13 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.
CAD 807 A1 JA MPOA side runout, etched - Variant 1
CAD 807 B1 JA MPOB side runout, etched - Variant 1
JA MPO CAD 807 A1 XA side runout, etched - Variant 2
JA MPO CAD 807 B1B side runout, etched - Variant 2
CAD 807 A¹ X MPO JARun-out side A, etched - variant 1
CAD 807 B¹ MPO JARun-out side B, etched - variant 1
CAD 807 A¹ MPO JARun-out side A, etched - variant 2
CAD 807 B¹ MPO JARun-out side B, etched - variant 2
CAD 807 A HCP 871500Runout side A - etched
CAD 807 B HCP 871500Runout side B - etched
CD1-1-90892 G-2 1-1 gene[signature]Side A, Etched
CD1-2-90892 G-2 1-1 gene[signature]Side B, Etched
MASTERED BY CAPITOL SRC[logo]Both Sides, Stamped
CD1-1-90892 G-2 1-1 gene[signature]Side A, Variant 1
CD1-2-90892 G-2 1-1 gene[signature]Side B, Variant 1
CD1-1-90892 1-1 G-2 gene[signature]Side A, Variant 2
CD1-2-90892 G-1 1-1 gene[signature]Side B, Variant 2
B-32424 D1-1-90892 G-1 △21975 SP-AR gene[signature] MASTERED BY CAPITOL SRC[logo]Side A runout, variant 1
B-32425 △21975-X D1-2-90892 G-1 SP-AR gene[signature] MASTERED BY CAPITOL SRC[logo]Side B runout, variant 1
B-32424-G1 SRC logo D1-1-90892 G-1 1-2 △21975 SPAR MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout, variant 2
0- △21975-X B-32425 G1 SRC logo D1-2-90892 G-1 1-2 SP-AR MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Brazil | Stiletto 230.4005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo 836 484-1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo 836 484-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Rough Trade Records RTD 99 / 4AD RTD 99First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | France | 4AD 70633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | France | 4AD cad 807 / 4AD 70633First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | France | 4AD 70633LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Germany | 4AD MD 7901 / 4AD RTD 99First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Greece | 4AD CAD 807 / Virgin VG 50382First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | Contempo Records CONTE 121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | 4AD cad 807 / Contempo Records CONTE 121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Contempo Records CONTE 121First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | Japan | 4AD YX-7447First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Japan | 4AD YX-7447First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Scandinavia | 4AD CAD 807First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Brazil | Stiletto 492.053LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK, Europe & US | 4AD cad 3419LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2014 | UK, Europe & US | 4AD cad 3419LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2014 | UK, Europe & US | 4AD cad 3419LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK, Europe & US | 4AD cad 3419 / 4AD CAD 3419LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
33 vinyl pressings of Blue Bell Knoll are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1988 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Europe, Israel and more. One of them is 4AD cad 807, released September 19, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use cad 807, C1-90892, CAD 807, 230.4005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAD 807 A1 JA MPO and CAD 807 B1 JA MPO. 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.
