Vinyl pressings
by Fleetwood Mac · 1977
Albatross was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 4 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.
CBS-S 31569-A-1 D 11Runout side A, variant 1
CBS-S 31569-B-1 A 11Runout side B, variant 1
CBS-S 31569-A-1 ( ] CRunout side A, variant 2
CBS-S 31569-B-1 [ ) CRunout side B, variant 2
CBS-S-31569-A2Etched side A
CBS-S-31569-B2Etched side B
CBS-S-31569-A2 CRunout side A
CBS-S-31569-B2 DRunout side B
CBS-S-31569-A2Etched side A
CBS-S-31569-B2Etched side B
EMB 02-3159̶69-2A-1 L △Runout side A, variant 1
EMB 02-31569-3B-1 L △Runout side B, variant 1
02-31569-1A-3Runout side A, variant 2
EMB 02-31569-1B-1Runout side B, variant 2
02-31569-1A-1A-side, variant 1
EMB 02-31569-1B-1B-side, variant 1
02-31569-1A-1A-side, variant 3
EMB 02-31569-3B-1B-side, variant 3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Europe | Embassy EMB 31569 / Embassy 31569First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | Embassy EMB 31569 / Embassy 31569First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | Embassy EMB 31569First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | Embassy EMB 31569 / Embassy 31569First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Greece | Embassy CBS 31569 / CBS 31569First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS CBS 010First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 31569 / Embassy S CBS 31569First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 31569 / CBS 31569First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 31569 / Embassy S CBS 31569LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 31569 / CBS S CBS 31569First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 31569 / CBS 31569First yearLP, Compilation, Sampler, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Sampler, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Italy | CBS EMB 31569 / Embassy EMB 31569LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | CBS CBS 32270LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBS 32270LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32270LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 32270 / CBS 32270LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Israel | CBS 32270LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Spain | CBS 32270 / CBS CBS 32270LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 31569 / CBS 31569LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 31569 / CBS 31569LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Albatross are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1977 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Europe, Greece, New Zealand. One of them is CBS S CBS 31569.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S CBS 31569, CBS 31569, EMB 31569, CBS 010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS-S 31569-A-1 D 11 and CBS-S 31569-B-1 A 11. 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.
