Vinyl pressings
by Herbie Mann · 1978
Superman was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
ST-DK-36266-2 (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout, Side A
ST-DK-36265-2 (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout, Side B
ST-DK-36266-PRPrinted on label, A Side
ST-DK-36265-PRPrinted on label, B Side
ST-DS̶̷K0̶̷-36266-2 (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D. K.Side A Runout, etched; ATLANTIC STUDIOS D. K. is stamped
ST-DS̶̷K0̶̷-36265-2 (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D. K.Side B Runout, etched; ATLANTIC STUDIOS D. K. is stamped
ST-DK-36266-PRSide A Label
ST-DK-36265-PRSide B Label
ST-DSKO-36266-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR)A-Side Runout
ST-DSKO-36265-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR)B-Side Runout
ST-DSKO-36266-PRA-Side Label
ST-DSKO-36265-PRB-Side Label
ST-DSKO-36266-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR)A-Side Runout
ST-DSKO-36265-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR)B-Side Runout
ST-DSKO-36266-PRA-Side Label
ST-DSKO-36265-PRB-Side Label
LV 18 A1 STRAWBERRYSide A runout - variant 1
LV 18 B1 STRAWBERRYSide B runout - variant 1
LV-18 A1 E.G. STRAWBERRY S-4Side A runout - variant 2
LV18 B-1 E.G. STRAWBERRY S-4Side B runout - variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 20 149First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1978 | Israel | Atlantic LV 20149First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Israel | Atlantic LV 20123First year12" | 12" |
| 1978 | Japan | Atlantic P-379AFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Spain | Atlantic 45-1811 / Hispavox 45-1811 (SN)First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic LV 18First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11237First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic DK 4708 / ATCO Records DK 4708First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic DSKO 142 / PAP DSKO 142First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic 3547First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic DSKO 142 / PAP DSKO 142First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Atlantic DK 4708 / ATCO Records DK 4708First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Australia | Atlantic 45 35477", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | Atlantic 112377" | 7" |
| 1979 | Brazil | Atlantic 10.088 / Atlantic 35477", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
29 vinyl pressings of Superman are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Germany, Israel and more. One of them is Atlantic DK 4708.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DK 4708, DSKO 142, 3547, LV 18) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-DK-36266-2 (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. and ST-DK-36265-2 (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.. 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.
