Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1978
A Legendary Performer - Volume 3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
CPL1-3078A-166̶ I ⋀5HRunout side A, variant 1
CPL1-3078B-18 I ⋀2JRunout side B, variant 1
CPL1-3̶0̶8̶2̶-̶A̶ 3078A-176̶ I A2Runout side A, variant 2
CPL1-3078B-18̶5 I A3Runout side B, variant 2
CPL1- 3̶0̶8̶2̶A̶ 3078A-17 6̶ I A08 IRunout A
CPL1-3078B-176̶ Ⅰ A4CRunout B
CPL1 3082A 1S A5 BSide A variant 1
CPL1 3082B 1S A4 BSide B variant 1
CPL1 3082A 1S A:ESide A variant 2
CPL1 3082B 11S A1MSide B variant 2
CPL1 3082A 1S A5 I A4TJSide A variant 1
CPL1 3082B 11S I A1MSide B variant 1
CPL1 3082A 1S A:ESide A variant 2
CPL1 3082B 11S A1MSide B variant 2
PL-13082-A-2E AIAH "W"Side A etched
PL-13082-A-2E AIS "W"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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | RCA CPL1-3082First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA CPL1-3082First yearLP, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA CPL1-3078LP, Picture Disc, Compilation, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Picture Disc, Compilation, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA CPL1-3082First yearLP, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA CPL1-3082First yearLP, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 13082First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA REP-1 / RCA CPL1-3078First yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1978 | New Zealand | RCA CPL1-3082First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | South Africa | RCA CPL1-3082First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | RCA PL 13082First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | RCA CPL1-3082First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | RCA CPL1-3082First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | RCA CPL1-3078 / RCA CPL1-3082LP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | US | RCA CPL1-3078First yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1978 | US | RCA CPL1-3078First yearLP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA PL 83082LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | RCA Victor CPL1 3082 / RCA CPL1-3082LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of A Legendary Performer - Volume 3 are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA CPL1-3078, released November 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CPL1-3078, CPL1-3082, PL 13082, REP-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CPL1-3078A-166̶ I ⋀5H and CPL1-3078B-18 I ⋀2J. 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.
