Vinyl pressings
by James Taylor · 1979
Flag was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 17 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.
PAL 36058 1G TML-SSide A, runout, variant 1
PBL-36058-1K TML-MSide B, runout, variant 1
PAL 36058 1AF TML-MSide A, runout, variant 2
PBL-36058 1AA TML-SSide B, runout, variant 2
PAL 36058 1D TML-MRunout A [var 1]
PBL-36058-1H TML-CRunout B [var 1]
PAL-36058-1M TML-S I PRunout A [var 2]
PBL-36058-1̶G̶1D TML-M I PRunout B [var 2]
PAL-36058-1N 1S TML-M-XSide A runout, variant 1
PBL-36058-1B C2 S2 TML-SSide B runout, variant 1
PAL 36058 1G TML-S SSide A runout, variant 2
PBL-36058-1B TML-S SSide B runout, variant 2
ᴑ T1 PAL 36058 1E TML-MRunout side A, variant 1
ᴑ T1 PBL 36058 1AH TML-MRunout side B, variant 1
ᴑ T1 PAL 36058 1F TML-SRunout side A, variant 2
ᴑ T1 PBL 36058 1AH TML-MRunout side B, variant 2
PAL 36058 1M TML-SSide 1, runout
PBL-36058-1H TML-SSide 2, runout
PAL 36058 1G TML-SSide 1, Runout
PBL-36058-1K TML-MSide 2, Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Columbia 119.978First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | CBS SBP 237318First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | CBS SBP 237318First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Brazil | CBS 230027 / Discos CBS FC - 36058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 86091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | CBS CBS 86091First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | CBS S CBS 86091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | CBS CBS 86091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1585First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 32220First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237318First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Singapore | CBS 25AP-1585First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | CBS DNW 2336First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | CBS S 86091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | CBS S CBS 86091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Spain | CBS CBS 32220LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | CBS CBS 32220LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-355 / Columbia 88697617081LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| 2011 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-355LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1024 / Columbia MOVLP1024LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3480 / Columbia MOVLP3480LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32220 / CBS 32220LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32220 / CBS 32220LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | CBS CBS 32220LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS 32220LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS 32220LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36058 / Columbia FC 36058LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36058LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
37 vinyl pressings of Flag are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1979 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia FC 36058.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 36058, S CBS 86091, 119.978, SBP 237318) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 36058 1G TML-S and PBL-36058-1K TML-M. 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.
