Vinyl pressings
by Hubert Laws · 1980
Family 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.
8 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 4 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.
P̶A̶L̶-̶3̶6̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶B̶ 1S-PAL-36396-1B 2 B 1SRunout etching, side A
PBL-36396-1B 1̶S̶ P̶B̶L̶-̶3̶6̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶B̶ 1S P̶B̶L̶-̶3̶6̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶B̶ C2Runout etching, side B
P P̶A̶L̶ 3̶6̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶D PAL 36396-1D ASide A Runout variant 1
P P̶B̶L̶ 3̶6̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶C PBL-36396-1C ASide B Runout variant 1
PAL 36396-1C P P̶A̶L̶ ̶3̶5̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶C̶Side A Runout variant 2
PBL-36396-1C P P̶B̶L̶ ̶3̶5̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶C̶ DSide B Runout variant 2
S1 PAL-36396-1B C3Side A runout etched
S2 PBL-36396-1B 6Side B runout etched
AL 36396Side A label
BL 36396Side B label
MX192497Side A label
MX192497Side B label
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 | CBS SBP 23 7486First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1965First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2573First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36396First yearLP, Promo, Album · Promo | LP, Promo, Album · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 36396LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Columbia JC 36396LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Family are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Japan, South Africa. One of them is Columbia JC 36396.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36396, SBP 23 7486, 25AP 1965, ASF 2573) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P̶A̶L̶-̶3̶6̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶B̶ 1S-PAL-36396-1B 2 B 1S and PBL-36396-1B 1̶S̶ P̶B̶L̶-̶3̶6̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶B̶ 1S P̶B̶L̶-̶3̶6̶3̶6̶5̶-̶1̶B̶ C2. 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.
