Vinyl pressings
by Don Williams · 1978
Expressions was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 10 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.
AY-1069-AS - 1B SX Masterfonics 1SSide A runout (variant 1)
AY-1069-BS - 1A Masterfonics SX 2SSide B runout (variant 2)
S2 AY-1069-AS 1A SXT Masterfonics B5Side A runout (variant 2)
S1 AY-1069-BS 1B SXT Masterfonics D5Side B runout (variant 2)
S AY–1069–AS Masterfonics SXTDeadwax side A
T1 AY–1069–B–1 CTH Masterfonics 10Deadwax side B
F SPPD-44-A I >A
F SPPD-44-B I >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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | ABC Records AY 1069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-1069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | MCA Records MAY 1069LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | Canada | MCA Records MAY 1069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | ABC Records Abc 68.073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | ABC Records 26 378 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | MCA Records 0062 722First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | ABC Records 26 378 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | ABC Records AY 1069First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | South Africa | ABC Records ABCL 353 AFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AY 1069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records SPPD-44First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AY 1069 / ABC Records AY-1069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AY 1069LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records AY 1069LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 201 372 / MCA Records 201 372-320LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 201 372 / MCA Records 201 372-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5253LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | ABC Records AY 1069 / ABC Records AY-1069LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | ABC Records AY 1069LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | ABC Records AY 1069LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | ABC Records AY 1069LP, Album | LP, Album |
35 vinyl pressings of Expressions are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, New Zealand, Australia and more. One of them is ABC Records AY 1069.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AY 1069, AY–1069, AY-1069, SPPD-44) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AY-1069-AS - 1B SX Masterfonics 1S and AY-1069-BS - 1A Masterfonics SX 2S. 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.
