Vinyl pressings
by Hubert Laws · 1976
Romeo & Juliet was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 8 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.
AL 34330-3B 1 TRunout Side A, Stamped [1 T, etched]
BL 34330-2B C 1 TRunout Side B, Stamped [1 T, etched]
AL 34330Label Side A
BL 34330Label Side B
AL 34330-3B I T o 5Runout side A
BL 34330-2B I T o A 4Runout side B
AL 34330Label side A
BL 34330Label side B
o AL 34330-3C ϟ /Runout Side A Stamped, ϟ / Etched
o BL 34330-2C ϟ /Runout Side B Stamped, ϟ / Etched
AL 34330Label Side A
BL 34330Label Side B
AL 34330-3A PRunout side A, stamped
BL 34330-2A PRunout side B, stamped
AL 34330Side A label
BL 34330Side B label
AL 34330-3ASide A runout variant 1
BL 34330-2ASide B runout variant 1
AL 34330-3C 2B S1Side A runout variant 2
BL 34330-2C A4 S1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234919First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | CBS 225.107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia PC 34330First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 264First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5524First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 234919 / CBS PC 34330First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Philippines | CBS/Sony APP-1108 / CBS/Sony 25AP264First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34330First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34330First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34330First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34330 / Columbia 34330First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34330First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34330 / Columbia 34330First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34330First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34330 / Columbia 34330First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34330LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Romeo & Juliet are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia PC 34330.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 34330, SBP 234919, 225.107, 25AP 264) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 34330-3B 1 T and BL 34330-2B C 1 T. 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.
