Vinyl pressings
by Ellen Foley · 1981
Spirit Of St. Louis 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.
15 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
AL 36984 S1 timtom-cbs u.k. B2Runout side A, variant 1
BL 36984 S1 timtom-cbs u.k. B3Runout side B, variant 1
AL 36984-1E S1 timtom-cbs u.k.Runout side A, variant 2
BL 36984-1E S1 timtom-cbs u.k.Runout side B, variant 2
AL-36984-2B MASTERDISK HWRunout Side 1
P BL 36984-1B TIMTOM - CBS U.K.Runout Side 2
AL-36984-2B P-1 [MASTERDISK] HW ARunout Side 1 ETCHED [Stamped]
P [BL 36984-1A] B TIMTOMCBSUKRunout Side 2 ETCHED [Stamped]
AL 36984-1D 1T timtom-cbs u.k. VRunout side A, variant 1
BL 36984-1A timtom-cbs u.k. PRunout side B, variant 1
AL 36984-1D 1T O PP V timtom-CBS U.K.Runout side A, variant 2
BL 36984-1B TIMTOM-CBS U.K. PRunout side B, variant 2
AL 36984-1C 1T timtom-cbs u.s.a. 0Runout Side 1
BL 36984-1D 1T timtom-cbs u.k.Runout Side 2
AL 36984-1E S1 timtom-cbs u.k. B2Side 1
BL 36984-1E S1 timtom-cbs u.k. B3Side 2
EPC-S - 84809 - A1A
EPC-S - 84809 - B1B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Cleveland International Records PE 36984 / Epic PE 36984LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Spirit Of St. Louis are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Cleveland International Records NJE 36984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NJE 36984, EPC 84809, JE 36984, ELPS 4167) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 36984 S1 timtom-cbs u.k. B2 and BL 36984 S1 timtom-cbs u.k. B3. 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.
