UK
1979- Label and catalog number
- Transatlantic Records TRA 355
- Format
- LP, Album
John RenbournThe Black Balloon
Vinyl pressings
The Black Balloon
by John Renbourn · 1979
15 pressings7 countriesFolkRockFolkWorld
The Black Balloon 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.
How to spot a first pressing of The Black Balloon
8 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 5 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.
UK
1979- Label and catalog number
- Transatlantic Records TRA 355
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
TRA - 355 - A - 1E MICKY LUVS JOHN! PN-A 'W' A1LSide A runout etched, variant 1
TRA - 355 - B - 1E A1I 'W'Side B runout etched, variant 1
TRA - 355 - A - 1E MICKY LUVS JOHN! PN-A 'W' A1FSide A runout etched, variant 2
TRA - 355 - B - 1E A1B 'W'Side B runout etched, variant 2
UK
1979- Label and catalog number
- Transatlantic Records TRA 355
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
TRA - 355 - A - 1E MICKY LUVS JOHN! PN-A 'W' A\LRunout, side A, etched
TRA - 355 - B - 1E A\I 'W'Runout, side B, etched
UK
1979- Label and catalog number
- Transatlantic Records TRA 355
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
TRA 355 A-1U JA TAPE ONESide A stamped [JA TAPE ONE etched]
TRA 355 B-1U JA TAPE ONESide A stamped [JA TAPE ONE etched]
US
1979- Label and catalog number
- Kicking Mule Records, Inc. KM 163
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
KM 163 A RESide A, etched, variant 1
KM 163 B RESide B, etched, variant 1
KM 163 ASide A, etched, variant 2
KM 163 BSide B, etched, variant 2
Australia
1979- Label and catalog number
- Powderworks POW 4021Transatlantic Records POW 4021
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
POW 4021A ᐂ ASide A runout
POW 4021 B ᐂ ASide B runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 15 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Powderworks POW 4021 / Transatlantic Records POW 4021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Transatlantic Records 2S 068 62821First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Transatlantic Records TRAL 5355First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Transatlantic Records TRA 355First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Transatlantic Records TRA 355First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Transatlantic Records TRA 355First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Transatlantic Records TRA 355First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Kicking Mule Records, Inc. KM 163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1980s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Guimbarda GS-11073 / Transatlantic Records GS-11073LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Spain | Guimbarda GS-11073 / Transatlantic Records GS-11073LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Electric Muse Records UMM 1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | US | Shanachie 97009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
1990s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Spain | Vemsa 30.2127 / Vemsa (VLP-412)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | UK | Vemsa e-20.2127LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Transatlantic Records 30111073 / CFE 30111073LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Moon Shines Bright
- A2The English Dance
- A3Bourrée I And II
- A4Medley: The Mist Covered Mountains Of Home/The Orphan/The Tarboulton
- B1The Pelican
- B2The Black Balloon
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Black Balloon are there?
15 vinyl pressings of The Black Balloon are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1979 and 1990.
When was The Black Balloon first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Transatlantic Records TRA 355.
How do I tell if my copy of The Black Balloon is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TRA 355, KM 163, POW 4021, 2S 068 62821) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Black Balloon on vinyl worth?
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.
