Vinyl pressings
by Dexter Wansel · 1976
Life On Mars 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.
5 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year. 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.
o TI P.I.R. AL-34079-1D F/W NS. BA-Side runout etching variant 1
p P.I.R. BL-34079-1B F/W NS.B-Side runout etching variant 1
1 S P.I.R. AL-34079-1H RE F/W BA-Side runout etching variant 2
o T1 P.I.R. BL-34079-1D F/W NB D6B-Side runout etching variant 2
1 S P.I.R. AL-34079-1H RE F/W A1Runout, hand-scribed, side A
1 S P.I.R. BL-34079-1H F/W NS A6Runout, hand-scribed, side B
oRunout, stamped, sides A & B
AL 34079Label, side A
p P.I.R. AL-34079-1A F/W NS ARunout Side A, variant #1
p P.I.R. BL-34079-1B F/W NS BRunout Side B, variant #1
p P.I.R. BL-34079-1B F/W NS CRunout Side A, variant #2
p P.I.R BL-34079-1A F/W NS.Runout Side B, variant #2
p P.I.R. AL-34079-1B F/W NS ASide A runout
p P.I.R. BL-34079-1B F/W NS ASide B runout
AL 34079Side A label
BL 34079Side B label
o TI P.I.R. AL-34079-1D F/W NS CSide A runout
Q TI P.I.R. BL-34079-1D F/W NS ASide B runout
AL 34079Side A label
BL 34079Side 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 | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ 34079First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ 34079First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ 34079First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ 34079First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ 34079First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Spain | Philadelphia International Records PIR 82211LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Philadelphia International Records PZ 34079LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Philadelphia International Records 19439870061LP, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3487LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3487 / Philadelphia International Records MOVLP3487LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Life On Mars are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1976 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US. One of them is Philadelphia International Records PZ 34079.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PZ 34079) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o TI P.I.R. AL-34079-1D F/W NS. B and p P.I.R. BL-34079-1B F/W NS.. 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.
