Vinyl pressings
by Flora Purim · 1977
Encounter 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 7 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.
IS M-9077-A-1A KENDUN-a JG A6A-Side runout, variant 1
IS M-9077-B 1A KENDUN A 2 AB-Side runout, variant 1
IS M-9077-A-1A KENDUN-a JG BCA-Side runout, variant 2
S M-9077-B-1A KENDUN-a JG 2BB-Side runout, variant 2
P M 9077 AA-Side Runout Etching
P GH M 9077 BB-Side Runout Etching
M-9077-AA-Side Label
M-9077-BB-Side Label
BLPS 19264-A-2Side A
BLPS 19264-B-2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Milestone L36308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Milestone M-9110First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Milestone BLPS 19264 / Bellaphon BLPS 19264First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Milestone M-9077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Milestone MSM 9077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Milestone MSM 9077 / Milestone 9077First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | Japan | Milestone SMJ-6189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Milestone M-9077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Milestone M-9077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Milestone M-9077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Encounter are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, France and more. One of them is Milestone M-9077.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M-9077, L36308, M-9110, BLPS 19264) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IS M-9077-A-1A KENDUN-a JG A6 and IS M-9077-B 1A KENDUN A 2 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.
