Vinyl pressings
by Fleetwood Mac · 1968
Albatross was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
7800 7 ASide A runout, variant 1
7801 3 BSide B runout, variant 1
7800 - 3Side A runout, variant 2
7801 - 3Side B runout, variant 2
7800 1 CRunout A side, variant 1
7801 0 URunout B side, variant 1
7800 14 CRunout A side, variant 2
7801 17 DRunout B side, variant 2
7800Label side A
7801Label side B
7800 A//6 1 2 2Side A runout, variant 1
7801 B//7 1 3 6Side B runout, variant 1
7800 A//6 1 1Side A runout, variant 2
7801 B//7 1 3 6Side B runout, variant 2
7800 A//6Stamped side A runout
7801 B//6Stamped side B runout
7800Side A runout: stamped variant 1
7801Side B runout: stamped variant 1
7800Side A label
7801Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | CBS BA - 221602First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Finland | CBS 3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | Blue Horizon 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Greece | CBS BA 301224First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Ireland | CBS 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Ireland | CBS 57-3145First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Blue Horizon 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Blue Horizon 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461217First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | UK | Blue Horizon 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | UK | Blue Horizon 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Blue Horizon 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Blue Horizon 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | UK | Blue Horizon 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | UK | Blue Horizon 57-3145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | UK | Blue Horizon 57-31457", Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | Blue Horizon 57-31457", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1973 | New Zealand | CBS BA 4614597", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Italy | Quei Favolosi Anni '60 - Peace & Love7", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Blue Horizon 1965876554112", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Blue Horizon BHZ90081-112", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS BA 2216027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of Albatross are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1968 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK, Australia, Finland, France and more. One of them is Blue Horizon 57-3145, released November 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 57-3145, BA - 221602, 3145, BA 301224) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7800 7 A and 7801 3 B. 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.
