Vinyl pressings
by Grace Slick · 1980
Dreams was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 15 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.
AFL1-3544-A-10 MASTERDISK RLSide A runout etched, variant 1
AFL1-3544-B1 MASTERDISK RLSide B runout etched, variant 1
AFL1-3544-A-10 MASTERDISK RL I B 1 FSide A runout etched, variant 2
AFL1-3544-B1 MASTERDISK RL I A4 KSide B runout etched, variant 2
PL - ̷1̷3̷5̷4̷5̷ A-1E (13544) JA 'W' A1ASide A runout, variant 1
PL - 13544-B-IE 'W' A1A JASide B runout, variant 1
PL- ̷1̷3̷5̷4̷5̷ A-1E (13544) JA 'W' A1QSide A runout, variant 2
PL-13544-B-1E 'W' A1F JASide B runout, variant 2
AFL1 3544 A FRunout side A
AFL1 3544 B FRunout side B
APL1 3244-1 / MX 796037
APL1 3244-2 / MX 796037
AFL1 3544-A B1A1 DBSide one DB is etched rest is stamped
AFL1 3544-B B1A3 DBSide two DB is etched rest is stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1 3544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1 3544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | RCA Victor PL-13544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA Victor AFL1-3544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | RCA Victor PL 13544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 13544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | RCA PL 13544 / RCA Victor PL 13544First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | RCA PL 13544 / RCA Victor PL 13544First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RVP-6464First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RVP-6464First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | RCA Victor MILS 4476First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1980 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PL-13544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | RCA Victor PL-13544First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Portugal | RCA Victor PL-13544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | RCA Victor APL1 3544First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | RCA PL83544 / RCA PL83544-8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Great Expectations PIPLP 30LP, Album | LP, Album |
21 vinyl pressings of Dreams are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Greece, Australia and more. One of them is RCA Victor AFL1-3544.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AFL1-3544, PL 13544, RCLP 20155, APL1 3544) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AFL1-3544-A-10 MASTERDISK RL and AFL1-3544-B1 MASTERDISK RL. 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.
