Vinyl pressings
by Jean-Luc Ponty · 1987
The Gift Of Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 10 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 40983-1B G1 D2Side A Runout Etched Variant 1
PBL 40983-1D G1 A1Side B Runout Etched Variant 1
PAL 40983-1B G1 B1Side A Runout Etched Variant 2
PBL 40983-1A G1 B14Side B Runout Etched Variant 2
AL 40983Side A label
BL 40983Side B label
01 460436 1A1Runout side A, variant 1
01 460436 2B1Runout side B, variant 1
01 460436 1A1 ARunout side A, variant 2
01 460436 2B1 ARunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Brazil | Discos CBS 177008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Columbia FC 40983First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Columbia FC 40983First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 460436 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | CBS 4604361First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1987 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3402First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Mexico | CBS CLS-460436First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 4604361First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1987 | UK | CBS 4604361First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Columbia FC 40983 / Columbia C 40983First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Venezuela | CBS JZ-20046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Korea | Jigu Records Corporation KJPL-0566 / Columbia FC 40983LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Gift Of Time are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia FC 40983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 40983, 4604361, 177008, CBS 460436 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 40983-1B G1 D2 and PBL 40983-1D G1 A1. 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.
