Vinyl pressings
by Eddie Murphy · 1983
Comedian was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 4 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.
AL 39005 G1A G1 B5 <J-T>Side A runout, var 1
BL 39005-3 J1 G1Side B runout, var 1
AL 39005-3 C13 0 G1Side A runout, var 2
BL 39005-5 E9 0 G1Side B runout, var 2
AL 39005 -1BA side
BL 39005 -1AB side
AL 39005-1E P 0Side A runout, variant 1
BL 39005-1A 0 PSide B runout, variant 1
AL 39005-4Side A runout, variant 2
BL 39005-5 (very faint)Side B runout, variant 2
AL 39005-1A PSide A Etched, variant 1
BL 39005-1B PSide B Etched, variant 1
AL-39005 GIC P (HXAD)Side A Etched, variant 2
BL39005-1ASide B Stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | CBS SBP 237977First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 32658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 25760First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Columbia FC 39005 / The Entertainment Company Records FC 39005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Columbia AS 99-1263First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1983 | US | Columbia 9c9-39151First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1983 | US | Columbia AS 99-1763First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Limited, Picture disc |
| 1983 | US | Columbia FC 39005 / The Entertainment Company Records FC 39005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Columbia FC 39005 / The Entertainment Company Records FC 39005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Columbia FC 39005 / The Entertainment Company Records FC 39005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Columbia FC 39005 / The Entertainment Company Records FC 39005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Columbia FC 39005 / The Entertainment Company Records FC 39005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Columbia VFC 39005 / The Entertainment Company Records VFC 39005LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | US | Columbia 19075815991 / The Entertainment Company FC 39005LP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited |
14 vinyl pressings of Comedian are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1983 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Canada, Australia, Netherlands. One of them is Columbia FC 39005.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 39005, AS 99-1263, 9c9-39151, AS 99-1763) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 39005 G1A G1 B5 <J-T> and BL 39005-3 J1 G1. 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.
