Vinyl pressings
by Harry Nilsson · 1972
Spaceman was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 10 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.
BPKS-8243-5S (B̶P̶K̶S̶ ̶5̶S̶) A3E RA-Side Runout Etching
BPKS-8241 5S-A1F RB-Side Runout Etching
BPKS-8243A-Side Label
BPKS-8241B-Side Label
BPKS 8243-10S I A1Etched Side A, except I AI stamped
BPKS 8241 3S I A1Etched Side B, except I AI stamped
BPKS-8243-12S HA-Side runout
BPKS-8241 2S HB-Side runout
BPKS-8243A-Side label
BPKS-8241B-Side label
BPKM 8243-2SMono Side Runout
BKSM 8243-3S Λ1Stereo Side Runout
BPKM-8243Mono Side Label
BKKS-8243Stereo Side Label;
BPKS 8243 A2Side A
BPKS 8241 A2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | RCA Victor 102183First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | RCA Victor 74-0788First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Greece | RCA Victor 46G 136First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Japan | RCA SS-2202First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 74-0788First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Philippines | RCA Victor 74-0788 / RCA 74-0788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-382First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Spain | RCA Victor 3-10793First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Spain | RCA 3-10793First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor 74-0788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor 74-0788First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor 74-0788First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor 74-0788First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor 74-0788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton SRCA-88615 / RCA Victor SRCA-88615First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Spaceman are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, Canada, Greece and more. One of them is RCA Victor 74-0788.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 74-0788, 102183, 46G 136, 42-382) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BPKS-8243-5S (B̶P̶K̶S̶ ̶5̶S̶) A3E R and BPKS-8241 5S-A1F R. 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.
