Vinyl pressings
by John Stewart · 1979
Bombs Away Dream Babies 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.
30 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 16 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.
RS-1-3051-AS-CMP2 PRCW-1 KENDUN-B JG 376Var. 1: Runout side A
RS-1-3051-BS-CMP1-PRCW-1 KENDUN-A 376Var. 1: Runout side B
RS-1-3051-AS-CMP 1. PRCW-1-1-2. KENDUN-A JG 376Var. 2: Runout side A
RS-1-3051-BS-CMP 1. PRCW-1-5. KENDUN-A 376Var. 2: Runout side B
1T RS-1-3051-AS-CT1 JG 376 KENDUN-ASide A runout, variant 1
1T RS-1-3051-BS-CT2 376 KENDUN-A FSide B runout, variant 1
1T RS-1-3051-AS-CT1 KENDUN-A JG 376 CSide A runout, variant 2
1T RS-1-3051-BS-CT1 KENDUN-A 376 B1Side B runout, variant 2
RS-1-3051-AS-CP2 KENDUN-B JG 376 B PRunout side A, etched [except KENDUN-B & P], variant 1
RS-1-3051-AS-CP2 KENDUN-B 376 B PRunout side B, etched [except KENDUN-B, B & P], variant 1
RS-1-3051-AS-CP1 KENDUN-A JG 376Runout Side A, etched [except KENDUN-A], variant 2
RS-1-3051-BS-CP2 KENDUN-B 376Runout Side B, etched [except KENDUN-B], variant 2
RS-1-3051-AS-SP1 1-1 KENDUN-A JG (SRC logo)Side A, etched
RS-1-3051-BS-SP2 KENDUN-B JG (SRC logo)Side B, etched
RS-1-3051-AS-CMP 1 PRCW-1-1 KENDUN-A JG 376Side A variant 1
RS-1-3051-BS-CMP 1 PRCW-1-3 KENDUN-A 376Side B variant 1
RS-1-3051-AS-CMP 1 PRCW-1-1-2 KENDUN-A JG 376Side A variant 2
RS-1-3051-BS-CMP-1-PRCW-1-5 KENDUN-A 376Side B variant 2
RS-1-3051-AS - PRC · R1-1-1 KENDUN-A JGRunout side 1 Variant 1.
RS-1-3051-BS - PRC · R1-1-111 KENDUN-A JGRunout side 2 ariant 1.
RS-1-3051-AS - PRC · R1-11 KENDUN-A JGRunout side 1 Variant 2.
RS-1-3051-BS - PRC · R1 KENDUN-A JGRunout side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RSO 2394 228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | RSO 2394 228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | RSO RS-1-3051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | RSO RS-1-3051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | RSO RS-1-3051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | RSO 2394 228First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | RSO 2394 228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | RSO 2394 228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | RSO 2394 228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | RSO 2394 228LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | India | RSO 2394 228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | RSO 2394 228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | RSO MWF1066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | RSO MWF1066First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | RSO 2394 228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RSO 2394 228LP, Album | LP, Album |
32 vinyl pressings of Bombs Away Dream Babies are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is RSO RS-1-3051, released May 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS-1-3051, RSS 6, 2394 228, MWF1066) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RS-1-3051-AS-CMP2 PRCW-1 KENDUN-B JG 376 and RS-1-3051-BS-CMP1-PRCW-1 KENDUN-A 376. 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.
