Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello · 1980
Taking Liberties was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 2 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-36839-2B BRunout side A, variant 1
BL-36839-2A ARunout side B, variant 1
P AL 36839-1HRunout side A, variant 2
BL 36839-1AARunout side B, variant 2
AL-36839-2E S1 A3Runout A stamped / S1 A3 etched (variant 1)
BL-36839-2E S1 A111Runout B stamped / S1 A111 etched (variant 1)
AL-36839-2E S1 B1Runout A stamped / S1 B1 etched (variant 2)
BL-36839-2E S1 A7Runout B stamped / S1 A7 etched (variant 2)
AL-36839-̶1̶K̶ o C 2K 1TSide A runout, variant 1
BL-36839-2C o 1T ESide B runout, variant 1
AL-36839-2B ΛSide A runout, variant 2
BL-36839-2C 1T 0 JSide B runout, variant 2
AL 36839-2HRunout side A - Variant 1
BL-36839-2ARunout side B - Variant 1
AL 36839-2BRunout side A - Variant 2
BL-36839-2ARunout side B - Variant 2
AL-36839-2E S1 A2Runout side A
BL-36839-2E S1 A7Runout side B
AL 36839Label side A
BL 36839Label side B
AL-36839-1A-2HZFK: DM 2Variant 1 runout, side A
BL-36839-1A-2HZ0: DM 2Variant 1 runout, side B
② AL-36839-1A-2HZFK: DM 5Variant 2 runout, side A, etched
② BL-36839-1A-2HZO: DMVariant 2 runout, side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36839First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36839First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia PC 36839 / Columbia JC 36839First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36839First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia JC 36839First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36839First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK, Europe & US | UMe 0602547331175LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36839 / Columbia JC 36839LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 36839 / Columbia PC 36839LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36839 / Columbia JC 36839LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 36839LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Taking Liberties are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1980 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia JC 36839, released November 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36839, PC 36839) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-36839-2B B and BL-36839-2A A. 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.
