Vinyl pressings
by Donna Summer · 1977
Once Upon A Time... was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 22 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.
NBLP-7078-AS SM-1 AZ 🌼 A8 1SSide A Runout, variant 1
NBLP-7078-DS SM-2 AZ 🌼 A4 1SSide D Runout, variant 1
NBLP-7078-AS SM-2 AZ 🌼 C4 1SSide A Runout, variant 2
NBLP-7078-BS SM-2 AZ 🌼 A3 1SSide B Runout, variant 2
NBLP-7078-AS- PRC-1 AZSide 1
NBLP-7078-BS- PRC-1 AZSide 2
NBLP-7078-CS- PRC-1 AZSide 3
NBLP-7078-DS- PRC-1 AZSide 4
NBLP-7078-AS KEEL-1 AZ A 2Runout side 1
NBLP-7078-DS KEEL-1 AZ A 2Runout side 2
NBLP-7078-BS KEEL-1 AZ A 1Runout side 3
NBLP-7078-CS KEEL-1 AZ A 1Runout side 4
NBLP 7078-AS CP-2 AZ ISide A Runout
NBLP 7078-BS CP-2 AZ PSide B Runout
NBLP 7078-CS CP-2 AZ E PSide C Runout
NBLP 7078-DS CP-1 AZ F 3Side D Runout
NBLP-7078AS C̶S̶M̶P-4 AZ CB A PRunout A, variant 1
NBLP-7078-BS CP-2 AZ ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ 2B PRunout B, variant 1
NBLP-7078-CS CP-2 AZ E PRunout C, variant 1
NBLP-7078-DS CP-1 AZ ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ B3 PRunout D, variant 1
T I NBLP-7078-AS CTH-4 AZ CB B6 [B stamped]Runout Side A, etched, variant 1
T I NBLP-7078-BS TH-1 AZ ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀(birds) D6 [D stamped]Runout Side B, etched, variant 1
T 2 NBLP-7078-CS TH-1 AZ ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀(birds) Ʌ3 [Ʌ stamped]Runout Side C, etched, variant 1
T I NBLP-7078-DS CTH-4 AZ ❀ (flower) CB D8 [D stamped]Runout Side D, etched, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Casablanca SUP-943 / Casablanca SUP-944First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | Oasis 7078 / Oasis NBLP - 7078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Casablanca NBLP 7078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Casablanca NBLP 7078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Casablanca NBLP 7078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Casablanca NBLP 7078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Casablanca NBLP 7078LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | Canada | Casablanca NBLP 7078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Ecuador | Casablanca LP-28512 / Casablanca NBLP- 7078-ESFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | Atlantic 60 132 / Atlantic (NBLP 7078)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | Atlantic 60 132 / Atlantic N° 60.132First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | Atlantic 60132 / Atlantic 60.132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 60 132 / Atlantic NBLP 7078-2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Casablanca NB 7038First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Casablanca NB 7038First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Casablanca 19S-9～10 / Polystar 19S-9～10LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Casablanca 19S-9～10 / Polystar 19S-9～10LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1981 | South Korea | Casablanca 19S-9~10 / Polystar 19S-9~10LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 60 132 / Atlantic NBLP 7078-2LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Jamaica | Casablanca NBLP-7078-2LP, Album | LP, Album |
66 vinyl pressings of Once Upon A Time... are listed here, from 31 countries, released between 1977 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Hong Kong and more. One of them is Casablanca NBLP 7078, released October 31, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NBLP 7078, NBLP 7078-2, NBLP-7078-2, CALD 5003) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NBLP-7078-AS SM-1 AZ 🌼 A8 1S and NBLP-7078-DS SM-2 AZ 🌼 A4 1S. 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.
