Vinyl pressings
by Harry Nilsson · 1971
Aerial Pandemonium Ballet was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
APRS 8129 30 S IRunout A, variant 1
APRS 8130 3S IRunout B, variant 1
APRS 8129 30 S I- A1Runout A, variant 2
APRS 8130 3S I A1Runout B, variant 2
APRS 8129 -1S HSide A run out, stamped
APRS 8130 1S HSide B run out, stamped
APRS-8129Matrix Side A, on label
APRS-8130Matrix Side B, on label
APRS-8129-2S A2H RSide A runout, variant 1
APRS-8130-2S A2C RSide B runout, variant 1
APRS-8129-2S A2 F RSide A runout, variant 2
APRS-8130-2S A1 C RSide B runout, variant 2
APRS 8129 30 SSide 1
APRS 8130 3SSide 2
APRS 8129 T2DRunout side A
APRS 8130 T2DRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | RCA Victor LSP-4543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-4543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | RCA SRA-5524First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | RCA SRA-5524First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4543First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4543First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4543First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Venezuela | RCA LPVS-1213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | RCA Victor LSP-4543 / RCA Victor LSP 4543First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Italy | RCA Victor LSP-4543 / RCA Victor LSP 4543First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor SF 8326LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor SF 8326LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | RCA RCA-6155LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Aerial Pandemonium Ballet are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1971 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Italy, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor LSP-4543.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSP-4543, SRA-5524, LPVS-1213) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APRS 8129 30 S I and APRS 8130 3S I. 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.
