Vinyl pressings
by Jean-Luc Ponty · 1976
Aurora 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.
20 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 11 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-A-763535-AA STA- ̶7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶6̶ -A [MR logo] MT R △20377(1) [Artisan logo] PRA Side Runout
ST-A-763536-AA ST-A- ̶ ̶7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶5̶ -A [MR logo] MT R △20377-X(2) [Artisan logo] PRB Side Runout
ST-A-763535-MOA Side Label
ST-B-763535-MOB Side Label
STA-7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶6̶-A ST-A-763535-A PR-PSide A runout etched, Variant 1
ST-A-763536-A ST-A-7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶5̶-A PR-PSide B runout etched, Variant 1
STA-7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶6̶-A ST-A-763535-A [Artisan logo] PR-PSide A runout etched, Variant 2
ST-A-763536-A ST-A-7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶5̶-A KPG [Artisan logo] PRSide B runout etched, Variant 2
ST-A-763535-AAA - I-II STA-7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶6̶-A PRCSide A runout, variant 1
ST-A-763536-AAA - I ST-A-7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶5̶-A PRCSide B runout, variant 1
ST-A-763535-AAA - I STA-7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶6̶-A [Artisan drum logo] PRCSide A runout, variant 2
ST-A-763536-AAA - I ST-A-7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶5̶-A [Artisan drum logo] PRCSide B runout, variant 2
K·50228·A1Side A, stamped
K·50228·B1Side B, stamped
K-50228-AI B 5 1Runout side A
K-50228-BI C 5Runout side B
K 50228 A*Label side A
K 50228 B*Label side B
K·50228 A1 A 16Side A runout, stamped - variant 1
K·50228 B1 DSide B runout, stamped - variant 1
K·50228 A1 B CSide A runout, [stamped, B C letters rotated 90°] - variant 2
K·50228 B1 B 1Side B runout, [stamped, B 1 letters rotated 90°] - 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 | Unknown | Atlantic K 50228First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | Australia | Atlantic SD 18163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | Atlantic SD 18163 / Atlantic SD-18163First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Brazil | Atlantic 30.007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | Atlantic 30.007 / Atlantic LP-30.00-7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18163First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Atlantic 50 228 / Atlantic SD18 163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Atlantic 50 228 / Atlantic SD18 163First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD 18163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD18163LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD18163LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1976 | Italy | Atlantic W 50228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Atlantic P-10169AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Atlantic P-10169AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK & Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD18163LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Atlantic 30.007LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD18163LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic K 50228LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic 50 228 / Atlantic SD18 163LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD 18163LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD18163LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD18163LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD18163LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 18163LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK & Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 228 / Atlantic SD 18163LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 19158LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
41 vinyl pressings of Aurora are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1976 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 18163.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 18163, K 50228, 30.007, 50 228) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-763535-AA STA- ̶7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶6̶ -A [MR logo] MT R △20377(1) [Artisan logo] PR and ST-A-763536-AA ST-A- ̶ ̶7̶6̶3̶5̶3̶5̶ -A [MR logo] MT R △20377-X(2) [Artisan logo] PR. 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.
