Vinyl pressings
by John Williams · 1977
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 15 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.
I S AL-9500-SA 1 B A 5 TML-SSide A runout, var. 1
I S AL-9500-SB 1 B A 2 TML-MSide B runout, var. 1
AS-9500-SA-④ S1 TML-SSide C, single runout, var. 1
AL-9500-SA-1A TML-M A8 S2Side A runout, var. 2
T AL-9500-SA - 1 TML-M CTHSide A runout, variant 1
T AL-9500-SB -5 TML-S CTHSide B runout, variant 1
T\ AL-9500-SA - 1 TML-M CTHSide A runout, variant 2
TƧ AL-9500-SB -2 TML-S CTH B28Side B runout, variant 2
o AL-9500-SA TML-MSide A runout, variant 1
P AL-9500-SB TML-MSide B runout, variant 1
P AL-9500-SA TML-M oSide A runout, variant 2
P AL-9500-SB TML-M oSide B runout, variant 2
AL-9500-SA-1 TML-M CTH A 23 T3Side A etched, exc. ᴛᴍʟ-ᴍ and A stamped
AL-9500-SB-5 TML-S CTH F 5 T ISide A etched, exc. ᴛᴍʟ-s and F stamped
AS-9500-SA-2 TML-S RE | I | – |Side A 7" etched, exc. ᴛᴍʟ-s stamped
T1 AL-9500-SA-1 TML-M CTHSide A runout, Variant 1
T2 AL-9500-SA-2 TML-S CTHSide B runout, Variant 1
T1 AL-9500-SA-1 TML-M CTH A5Side A runout, Variant 2
T2 AL-9500-SB-2 TML-S CTH A1Side B runout, Variant 2
77 AL-9500-SA M-2Runout Side A Etched, Variant 1
TML-MRunout Side A Stamped, Variant 1
77 AL-9500-SB M1Runout Side B Etched, Variant 1
TML-SRunout Side B Stamped (between SB M1), Variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Arista 8547First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Arista AL.9500 / Arista AS-9500First yearLP, Album, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided | LP, Album, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided |
| 1977 | Belgium | Arista 4C064-60391First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AL 9500First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AL 9500 / Arista AS 9500First yearLP, Album, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Single | LP, Album, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Single |
| 1977 | Greece | Arista 14C 064-60391First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Israel | Arista AL 9500First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IES-81010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Arista IES-81010First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | Orfeon LP 405First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Arista 5N 058N-60391First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Arista AL 9500First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | Arista 8E 072 60391First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | Arista ASTJ(D) 41First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Sweden | Arista 7C 062-60 391 / EMI Electrola 7C 062-60 391First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Arista 18RS-12LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Mexico | Arista AL 9500 / Arista AS 9500LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Arista ALB6-8365LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1980 | US | Arista AL 9500LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | US | Not On Label AL 9500LP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2003 | US | Classic Records, Inc. AL 9500LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Arista L 37247 / Arista ARL.37247LP, Album, Reissue, White Label | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label |
| ? | Brazil | Arista 202 449LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Arista 31C 064 60391DLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Arista AL 9500LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Arista AL 9500LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
55 vinyl pressings of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1977 and 2003.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Argentina, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Arista AL 9500, released December 6, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 9500, 8547, AL.9500, 4C064-60391) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I S AL-9500-SA 1 B A 5 TML-S and I S AL-9500-SB 1 B A 2 TML-M. 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.
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