Vinyl pressings
by John Denver · 1980
Autograph was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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.
AQL-1-3449-A-1S AZCB ISide A runout, variant 1
AQL1 3449A 14 ISide B runout, variant 1
AQL-1-3449-A-1S AZCB I B2 BSide A runout, variant 2
AQL1 3449B 12 I A2 GSide B runout, variant 2
PL 13449-A-1E A3A 'W' JASide A runout, etched variant 1
PL 13449-B-1E A3B 'W' JASide B runout, etched variant 1
PL 13449-A-1E A2F 'W' JASide A runout, etched variant 2
PL 13449-B-1E A4C 'W' JASide B runout, etched variant 2
146698-SEtched Matrix Runout Code Side A
146699-SEtched Matrix Runout Code Side B
△MX190981 APL13449-1Side 1 stamped
△MX190982 APL13449-2Side 2 stamped
AQL1-3449-A2 TXRunout side A
AQL1-3449-B TXRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1-3449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1-3449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA AQL1-3449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | RCA Victor PL 13449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 13449 APFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | RCA PL13449First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | RCA PL 13449First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RVP-6440First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RVP-6440First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PL-13449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | RCA PL-13449 / Telectra PL-13449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | RCA AQL1-3449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | RCA Victor 38-668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-13449First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-13449First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA AQL 1-3449 / RCA AQL1-3449LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor PL 13449LP, Album | LP, Album |
21 vinyl pressings of Autograph are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA AQL1-3449.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AQL1-3449, PL 13449, TAIR 80024, APL1-3449) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AQL-1-3449-A-1S AZCB I and AQL1 3449A 14 I. 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.
