Vinyl pressings
by Jeff Wayne · 1978
Forever Autumn 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.
20 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 9 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.
CBS 01-6368-4A-1Runout side A, variant 1
CBS 01-6368-4B-1Runout side B, variant 1
CBS 01-6368-4A-1Runout side A, variant 2
CBS 01-6368-1B-1Runout side B, variant 2
ZSS 164898-1ARunout side A
ZSS 164899-1BRunout side B
ZSS 164898A side label
ZSS 164899B side label
ZSS-14698-1C TSide A runout
ZSS-14698-1H TSide B runout
ZSS 164898Side A label
ZSS 164899Side B label
CBS-S 6368-A-1Runout side A, variant 1
CBS-S 6368-B-1Runout side B, variant 1
CBS-S 6368-A-1 D 31Runout side A, variant 2
CBS-S 6368-B-1 DRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | CBS BA 222435First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Australia | CBS BA 222435First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | CBS BA 222435First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia 3:10799First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461861First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6368First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10799First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia AS 478First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10799First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10799First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10799First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS 6368 / CBS CBS 6368First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | CBS CBS S 6368 / CBS CBS 6368First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | CBS CBS S 6368 / CBS CBS 6368First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Ireland | CBS CBS 6368First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | UK | Old Gold OG 94017", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | Old Gold OG 94017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Old Gold OG 94017", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | Europe | CBS CBS 654973 77", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
25 vinyl pressings of Forever Autumn are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Europe, US, UK, Germany and more. One of them is CBS 6368, released June 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6368, 3-10799, S CBS 6368, AS 478) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS 01-6368-4A-1 and CBS 01-6368-4B-1. 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.
