Vinyl pressings
by Curved Air · 1976
The Best Of Curved Air 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.
3 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.
K•36015•A1Runout - Side A variant 1
K•36015•B1Runout - Side B variant 1
K•36015•A1 7 ARunout - Side A variant 2
K•36015•B1 10 ARunout - Side B variant 2
WS 4702 SIDE 1 - 1A - 2DA-side runout area
4702-B-1B-2GB-side runout area
30 XI 76 ROG 14274 - A-Side A, etched
30 XI 76 ROG 14274 - B-Side B, etched
MH-14.274/1Label A
MH-14.274/2Label B
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 | Warner Bros. Records WS 4702First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 36015First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Argentina | Music Hall 14274First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Argentina | Music Hall 14274LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records K 36 015LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records K 36 015LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Charter Line CTR 36015LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 36015 / Warner Bros. Records MID 318LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 36015 / Warner Bros. Records MID 318LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 36015 / Warner Bros. Records MID 318LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Curved Air are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, Canada, Argentina. One of them is Warner Bros. Records K 36015.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 36015, WS 4702, 14274) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K•36015•A1 and K•36015•B1. 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.
