Vinyl pressings
by John Joseph Hall · 1979
Power was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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-35790-2CSide A etched, variant 1
PBL-35790-2CSide B etched, variant 1
S PAL-35790-2A TML-S B3Side A etched [TML-S stamped], variant 2
S2 PBL-35790-2A TML-S A1Side B etched [TML-S stamped], variant 2
0 TI PAL-35790-2F TML-M D 3Side A etched [First 0, TML-M & D stamped]
0 TI PBL-35790-2E TML-M-XSide B etched [First 0 & TML-M stamped]
P PAL-35790-2C TML-M B 3Side A etched [P, THL-M B 3 stamped]
P PBL-35790-2C TML-M 5Side B etched [P, THL-M 5 stamped]
1S PAL-35790-2B TML-S A2Runout A
S PBL-35790-2B TML-M A1Runout B
AL 35790Label A
BL 35790Label B
P PAL-35790-2B TML-S A2Runout side A
P PBL-35790-2B TML-M A1Runout side B
AL 35790Label side A
BL 35790Label side B
△ MX188004 SBP237309-1Side 1 runout stamped
△ MX188005 SBP237309-2Side 2 runout stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | CBS SBP237309First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia JC 35790 / ARC JC 35790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83683First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1344First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | CBS SBP237309First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | ARC JC 35790 / Columbia JC 35790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ARC JC 35790 / Columbia JC 35790First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | ARC JC 35790 / Columbia JC 35790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ARC JC 35790 / Columbia JC 35790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ARC JC 35790 / Columbia JC 35790First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 2336LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Power are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1979 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is ARC JC 35790.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 35790, SBP237309, CBS 83683, 25AP 1344) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-35790-2C and PBL-35790-2C. 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.
