Vinyl pressings
by David Bedford · 1976
The 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.
7 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
V-2070-A1 BILBO 76Runout Side A variant 1
V-2070-B1 I'M BACKRunout Side B variant 1
V.2070.A2 BILBO '76 CRunout Side A variant 2
V.2070.B2 I'M BACK CRunout Side B variant 2
VIRG 2933 735 1 380 CIDIS A1Runout side A
VIG 293373 5 2 DU3 380 CIDIS A1Runout side B
V-2070 ASide A Label
V-2070 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Virgin V2070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Virgin 2933 735First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | Virgin 2J 062-98508First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin V 2070First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin V 2070First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Japan | Virgin YX-7168-VRLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Virgin YX-7168-VRLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Virgin VIP-4054LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin OVED 153LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 153LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of The Odyssey are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, Canada, France, Greece and more. One of them is Virgin V 2070.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2070, V2070, 2933 735, 2J 062-98508) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-2070-A1 BILBO 76 and V-2070-B1 I'M BACK. 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.
