US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Arista AB 4174
- Format
- LP, Album
Gene PageClose Encounters
Vinyl pressings
Close Encounters
by Gene Page · 1978
13 pressings7 countriesSoulDiscoFunk / Soul
Close Encounters was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Close Encounters
12 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Arista AB 4174
- Format
- LP, Album
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Arista AB 4174
- Format
- LP, Album · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
AB-4174-SA SM-2A-side runout (variant 1)
AB-4174-SB SM-2B-side runout (variant 1)
AB-4174-SA TH-1 AZ [flower logo] T1A-side runout (variant 2)
AB-4174-SB SM-2 AZ [flower logo]B-side runoutt (variant 2)
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Arista AB 4174
- Format
- LP, Album · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
TI AB-4174-SA TH-1 Az [flower] DA-Side Runout Etching
TI AB-4174-SB-4 Az CB-Side Runout Etching
US
1978- Label and catalog number
- Arista AB 4174
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo
UK
1978- Label and catalog number
- Arista SPART 1052
- Format
- LP, Album
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 13 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s13 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Arista AB 4174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Arista 14C 062-60671First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Arista IES-81058First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | Arista SLEM-772First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Arista AB 4174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Arista AB 4174First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Arista SPART 1052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4174First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4174LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
Tracklist
- A1Close Encounters Of The Third Kind4:18
- A2Theme From "Star Trek"3:22
- A3C E 3 K0:14
- A4Moonglow And Love Theme5:04
- A5Dancin' In The Sky4:50
- B1I Feel Like I've Been Livin' (On The Dark Side Of The Moon)4:45
- B2Beyond The Hole In Space3:28
- B3When You Wish Upon A Star3:47
- B4Sho' Like To Ride On Your Star3:43
- B5Saturn4:45
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Close Encounters are there?
13 vinyl pressings of Close Encounters are listed here, from 7 countries.
When was Close Encounters first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, Greece and more. One of them is Arista AB 4174.
How do I tell if my copy of Close Encounters is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB 4174, SPART 1052, 14C 062-60671, SLEM-772) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Close Encounters on vinyl worth?
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.
