Vinyl pressings
by Gerry Rafferty · 1979
Night Owl 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.
21 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 13 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.
UP 36512 A-1U A BILBO BOPPA!Runout side A - variant 1
UP 36512 B-1U BILBORunout side B - variant 1
UP 36512 A-1U A BILBO BOPPA! GT 1Runout side A - variant 2
UP 36512 B-1U BILBO H 1Runout side B - variant 2
UP 36512 A-1U MG 2 A BILBO BOPPA!Runout A, stamped and etched variant 1
UP 36512 B-1U PP 2 BILBORunout B, stamped and etched Variant 1
UP 36512 A-1U PH 2 A BILBO BOPPA!Runout A, stamped and etched Variant 2
UP 36512 B-1U TM 01 BILBORunout B, stamped and etched Variant 2
UP 36512 A-1U RD 1 A BILBO BOPPA!Side A runout
UP 36512 B-1U M 1 BILBOSide B runout
UP 36512ASide A label
UP 36512BSide B label
UP 36512 A-1URunout A, stamped
UP 36512 B-1URunout B, stamped
SMX53139 2A 4:25Side A runout etched
SMX51340 2A 3:57Side B runout etched
006-886 28-A// 39761-2-Y HN ΛISide A runout, stamped & etched
006-82628-B// 39762-1-Y HN IISide B runout, stamped & etched
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 | United Artists Records K7402First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | United Artists Records 4C 006-82628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | United Artists Records 2S 008 82628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | United Artists Records JBSON 600226 / United Artists Records JBSON 600.226First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Special Edition | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Special Edition |
| 1979 | France | United Artists Records 2S 008 82628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | United Artists Records 1C 006-82 628 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-82 628First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | United Artists Records 1C 006-82 628 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-82 628First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Ireland | United Artists Records UP 36512First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ireland | United Artists Records UP 36512First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Italy | United Artists Records UAN 40517First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 5C K052Z-82628First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 5C 006-82628First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Philippines | United Artists Records UA-50238First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Portugal | United Artists Records 8E 006 82628 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | United Artists Records UP 36512First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Night Owl are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, Belgium, France and more. One of them is United Artists Records UP 36512.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UP 36512, K7402, 4C 006-82628, 2S 008 82628) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UP 36512 A-1U A BILBO BOPPA! and UP 36512 B-1U BILBO. 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.
