Vinyl pressings
by Jean-Luc Ponty · 1978
Cosmic Messenger 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.
25 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 18 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.
(PR)P STERLING STA-784115-BRunout, Side A, Variant 1
(PR)P STERLING STA-784116-ARunout, Side B, Variant 1
(PR)P STERLING STA-784115-DRunout, Side A, Variant 2
(PR)P STERLING STA-784116-BRunout, Side B, Variant 2
ST-A-784115-DD MR STERLING ∆23632 ⑧ (PR)Variant 1 Side A
ST-A-784116-AA ∆23632-X ② (PR) STERLINGVariant 1 Side B
STA-784115-DD MR STERLING ∆23632 ⑨ (PR)Variant 2 Side A
STA-784116-AA MR ∆23632-X ④ (PR)Variant 2 Side B
STA-784115-BBB-I-III PRC (PR) sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide A runout
STA-784116-AAA-I PRC (PR) sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide B runout
ST-A-784115-RISide A Label
ST-A-784116-RISide B Label
STA·784115·D o-32MI-I STERLING (PR) SPSide A Runout (Variant 1)
St-A 784116-E SRC E.7.Side B Runout (Variant 1)
STA-784115-F SRC 1-1 STERLINGSide A Runout (Variant 2)
1-2 St-A 784116-E SRC E.7. STA-Side B Runout (Variant 2)
(PR)P STERLING STA-784115-BRunout, Side A, Variant 1
(PR) STERLING STA-784116-ARunout, Side B, Variant 1
S-6 K50506 A-1 E.GA-side runout
S-6 K50506-B1 E.GB-side runout
K 50505 A*A-side label
K 50505 B*B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | Atlantic 208791 / Atlantic SD 19189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | Atlantic 208791 / Atlantic SD 19189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Atlantic 30.083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Atlantic KSD 19189First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Atlantic KSD 19189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 505First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Atlantic 50 505 / Atlantic SD 19189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Atlantic 50 505 / Atlantic SD 19189First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Israel | Atlantic 19189First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Italy | Atlantic W 50505First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Atlantic P-10588AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Atlantic P-10588AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50 505 / Atlantic SD 19 189First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD19189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Philippines | Atlantic SD 19189First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 505LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Atlantic 610.7016 / Atlantic 30.083LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 505LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 505LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 505LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 505LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | Atlantic ATL 50505LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
39 vinyl pressings of Cosmic Messenger are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 19189.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 19189, K 50505, 208791, 30.083) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (PR)P STERLING STA-784115-B and (PR)P STERLING STA-784116-A. 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.
