Vinyl pressings
by Genesis · 1975
Rock Theatre was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
9299 515 1 Y 3 20 A GA-side, stamped, variant 1
9299 515 2 Y 3 20 1 PB-side, stamped, variant 1
9299 515 1 Y 320 1A 0A-side, stamped, variant 2
9299 515 2 Y 320 1A AAB-side, stamped, variant 2
9299 515 1 Y 3 20 24A side runout
9299 515 2 Y 3 20 24B side runout
9299 515.1A-side, center label
9299 515.2B-side, center label
9299 515 1 y A 299
9299 515 2 y 20
TYM3329Side1, engraved in Runout
TYM3330Side 2, engraved in Runout
BT-5037 (TYM-3329)Side 1, printed on label
BT-5037 (TYM-3330)Side 2, printed on label
9299 707 A 9 P75 F RS 710Side A Runout
9299 707 B 9 P75 F RS 710Side B Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Austria | Fontana 9299 515First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Greece | Fontana 9299515First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Japan | Fontana BT-5037First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Fontana 9299 515LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1975 | Norway | Charisma 9299 707First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Germany | Fontana 9299 515First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | Fontana 9199 387LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Argentina | Philips 5158LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Charisma 9299 515LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 206 915 / Charisma 206 915-270LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 206 915 / Charisma 206 915-270LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 206 915 / Charisma 206 915-270LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Charisma 206915LP, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Fontana 9299 515LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Fontana 9299 515LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Italy | Charisma GRT 100 / Virgin GRT 100LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Charisma 9279 535LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Italy | Charisma 9279 535LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of Rock Theatre are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1975 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Germany, Austria, Greece, Japan and more. One of them is Fontana 9299 515, released December 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9299 515, 9299515, BT-5037, 9299 707) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9299 515 1 Y 3 20 A G and 9299 515 2 Y 3 20 1 P. 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.
