Vinyl pressings
by Frank Marino · 1979
Tales Of The Unexpected was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
T1 AL-35753-1B STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
T1 BL-35753-1B STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
T1 AL-35753-1E STERLINGRunout Side A, variant 2
T1 BL-35753-1B STERLINGRunout Side B, variant 2
AL 35753A Side Label
BL 35753B Side Label
AL-35753-1A STERLING PA Side Etch exc Sterling, P stamps
BL-35753-1D STERLING PB Side Etch exc Sterling, P stamps
1S AL-35753-1F A2 STERLINGRunout side A
1S BL-35753-1F A2 STERLINGRunout side B
AL 35753Label, side A
BL 35753Label, side B
AL-35753-1A STERLING F BA runout, etched, exc Sterling stamp, F B
BL-35753-1D B STERLINGB runout, etched, exc Sterling stamp, B
AL 35753A label
BL 35753B label
AL-357553-1F A10 5Side A etched variant 1
BL-35753-[1B scratched out]1C A2 S2Side B etched variant 1
STERLINGstamped on both sides
AL 35753Side A label
AL-35753-1ARunout, side A, etched
BL-35753-1DRunout, side B, etched
STERLINGRunout, sides A & B, stamped
AL 35753Label, side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | CBS SBP 237322First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia JC 35753 / Columbia 35753First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS 83494 / CBS CBS 83494First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1570First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | CBS CBS 83494First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | UK | CBS S CBS 83494 / CBS JC 35753First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | CBS CBS 83494 / CBS 83494First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | CBS S CBS 83494 (JC 357531)First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35753First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | CBS JC 35753First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | CBS JC 35753First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35753First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia JC 35753 / Columbia 35753First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35753 / Columbia 35753First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35753 / Columbia 35753First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia WJC 35753 / Columbia JC 35753LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia WJC 35753 / Columbia 35753LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 35753LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 35753LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 35753LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Tales Of The Unexpected are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 35753, released April 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 35753, CBS 83494, S CBS 83494, S CBS 83494 (JC 357531)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 AL-35753-1B STERLING and T1 BL-35753-1B STERLING. 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.
