Vinyl pressings
by Journey · 1981
Escape was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
60 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 22 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.
AL 37408-2F COLUMBIA NY D5 G1Side A runout, variant 1
BL-37408-2D COLUMBIA NY C2 G1Side B runout, variant 1
AL 37408-2J COLUMBIA NY F3 G1Side A runout, variant 2
BL 37408-2K COLUMBIA NY A7 G1Side B runout, variant 2
1T o AL-37408-1P MASTERDISK K2A Side runout, var 3
1T o 37408-1T D26 MASTERDISK HWB Side runout, var 3
1T AL - 37408 - IQ MASTERDISK HW P3A Side runout, var 4
1T BL - 37408 - TI MASTERDISK HW oB Side runout, var 4
MASTERDISKBoth sides stamped
AL-37408-1BA Side Runout - Etched
BL 37408-1BB Side Runout -Etched
AL37408-2FA Side Runout - Etched
IS AL•37408•A•1A E MASTERDISK HW 0Etched side A, except MASTERDISK & 0 stamped
BL•37408•1AG MASTERDISK HW 0Etched side B, except MASTERDISK & 0 stamped
AL 37408Label Side A
BL 37408Label Side B
AL-37408-A-1B MASTERDISK HWA Side Runout (variant 1)
BL 37408-1AF MASTERDISK HWB Side Runout (variant 1)
AL-37408-A-1H MASTERDISK HWA Side Runout (variant 2)
BL 37408-1AF MASTERDISK HWB side runout (variant 2)
AL-37408-A-1B o MASTERDISK HW C 2SA Side runout
BL-37408-1AG E P MASTERDISK HW oB Side runout
AL 37408A Side Center Label
BL 37408B Side Center Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Columbia 20.230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS SBP 237683First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | CBS 138508 / Discos CBS 138.508First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia HC 47408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | CBS 14-1511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100.654First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 85138 / CBS 85138First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 85138 / CBS 85138First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | CBS CBS 85138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 2100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Israel | CBS CBS 85138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP-2100LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 2138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony FCPA 715First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Columbia / LegacyLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2010 | US | Friday Music FRM 37408LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Columbia 19439882361LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | Europe | Columbia 19439921631 / Sony Music 19439921631LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo |
| 2022 | US | Columbia 19439921631LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | CBS 138508 / Discos CBS 138.508LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 85138LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Spain | CBS CBS 460185 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Taiwan | GAVG PM-A-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 85138LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 85138 / CBS 85138LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-144LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| ? | US | Columbia TC 37408LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
86 vinyl pressings of Escape are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1981 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia TC 37408, released July 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TC 37408, AL 37408, CBS 85138, 20.230) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 37408-2F COLUMBIA NY D5 G1 and BL-37408-2D COLUMBIA NY C2 G1. 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.
