Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1981
Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
50 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 28 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.
JET-LP236-A3x PAL-37371Runout, A-side, hand etched. Variant 1
JET-LP236-B1 PBL-37371Runout, B-side, hand etched. Variant 1
JET-LP236-A2 PAL-37371Runout, A-side, hand etched, Variant 2
⋀Runout, A-side, stamped, Variant 2
JET-LP-236-A1 ❀ PAL-37371 ⋀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Side A runout variant 1
JET-LP-236-B1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. C ❀ PBL-37371Side B runout variant 1
JET-LP-236-A2 ❀ PAL-37371 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. []Side A runout variant 2
JET-LP-236-B1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. C ❀ PBL-37371Side B runout variant 2
JET-LP-236-A2 BG 4 ❀ PAL-37371 Λ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Side A runout
JET-LP-236-B1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. Λ BG ❀ PBL-37371Side B runout
JETLP 236 ASide A label
JETLP 236 BSide B label
JET-LP236-A2 PAL-37371Runout, A-side, hand etched
⋀Runout, A-side, stamped
JET-LP236-B4 PBL-37371Runout, B-side, hand etched
⋀Runout, B-side, stamped
S1 PAL-37371-1D ❀ o BG MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout A variant 1
S1 PBL-37371-1C ❀ o BG MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout B variant 1
S1 PAL-37371-1C ❀ o BG MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. A8Runout A variant 2
S2 PBL-37371-1B ❀ o BG MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. A4Runout B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Epic 47.255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Jet Records JT 6027First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Epic 144.707 / Epic 144707First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | Epic 19318First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ecuador | CBS 333-0042 / CBS Columbia 333-0042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Jet Records JET LP 236 / Jet Records JETLP 236First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Jet Records JETLP 236First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Jet Records 916015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | CBS JET LP 236First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 2111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | Jet Records JET 236First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Jet Records JET LP 236First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Jet Records 25AP 2111 / Jet Records 25AP 2111 (JT)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Jet Records 25AP 2111 (JT)First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Jet Records 25AP - 2111 (JT)First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Epic 88985370881LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2016 | US | Epic 88985370881LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2016 | Europe | Epic 88985312331 / Legacy 88985312331LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Epic 144.707LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 460212 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Epic 88985370881 / Legacy 88985370881LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | AMIGA JET 236LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-3113LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Epic 460212 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Epic JETLP 236 / Jet Records JETLP 236LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Epic 460212 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
69 vinyl pressings of Time are listed here, from 32 countries, released between 1981 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Canada, Greece and more. One of them is Jet Records JETLP 236, released July 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JETLP 236, JET LP 236, FZ 37371, HZ 47371) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JET-LP236-A3x PAL-37371 and JET-LP236-B1 PBL-37371. 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.
