Vinyl pressings
by Emmylou Harris · 1989
Bluebird was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 5 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.
1-25776-A-SR1 1-1 Masterfonics [SRC logo]Runout A, variant 1
1-25776-B-SR2 1-1 Masterfonics [SRC logo]Runout B, variant 1
1-25776-A-SR2 Masterfonics 1-1 [SRC logo]Runout A, variant 2
1-25776-B-SR2 1-1 Masterfonics [SRC logo]Runout B, variant 2
1-25776-A-SH-3 Masterfonics △ 23317 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-33682-SH3Side A runout
1-25776-B-SH-6 Masterfonics [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-33683-SH6 1-1 △ 23317-XSide B runout
R/S Alsdorf 925776-1-A2Side A
R/S Alsdorf 925776-1-B3Side B
R/S Alsdorf 925776-1-A2Side A
R/S Alsdorf 925776-1-B3Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Reprise Records 25776-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Reprise Records W1 576207LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1989 | Canada | Reprise Records 92 57761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Reprise Records 925 776-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Reprise Records 925 776-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Portugal | Reprise Records 9257761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Reprise Records 9 W1-25776 / Reprise Records W1-25776LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1989 | US | Reprise Records 9-25776-1 / Reprise Records 1-25776LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1989 | US | Reprise Records 1-25776 / Reprise Records 9 25776-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Reprise Records 1-25776 / Reprise Records 9 25776-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Bluebird are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Reprise Records 1-25776, released January 10, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-25776, 25776-1, 92 57761, 925 776-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-25776-A-SR1 1-1 Masterfonics [SRC logo] and 1-25776-B-SR2 1-1 Masterfonics [SRC logo]. 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.
