Vinyl pressings
by Journey · 1979
In The Beginning 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.
2 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 2 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.
AL36325 - 1A - 2HZD DM 3Runout Side A
BL36325 - 1A - 2HZD DM 3Runout Side B
AL36326 - 1A - 2HZ DM 3Runout Side C
BL36326 - 1A - 2HZD DM 5Runout Side D
38AP-2282A1 〄CS 1A1Side A, record 1, stamped
38AP-2282B1 1A1Side B, record 1, stamped
38AP-2283A1 〄CS 1A1Side A, record 2, stamped
38AP-2283B1 1A1Side B, record 2, 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 | Europe | CBS CBS 88481 / CBS C2 36324LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 38AP 2282First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | South Korea | Life Studio 54 Life 54 / Life Studio 54 LIFE 54LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1979 | US | Columbia C2 36324 / Columbia C 36325LP, Compilation, Promo, Remastered · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Remastered · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia C2 36324First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia C2 36324 / Columbia C 36325LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1979 | US | Columbia C2 36324 / Columbia C 36325LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1979 | US | Columbia KG 36324 / Columbia C2 36324LP, Album, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Album, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1979 | US | Columbia KG 36324 / Columbia 36324LP, Album, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Album, Compilation, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | CBS S 88481LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1980 | UK | CBS CBS 22073 / CBS 22073LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 38AP 2282~3LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Korea | CBS/Sony 38AP-2282~3LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | US | Columbia KG 36324 / Columbia C2 36324LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia CG 36324LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of In The Beginning are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1979 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Canada, Japan. One of them is Columbia C2 36324, released November 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C2 36324, 38AP 2282) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL36325 - 1A - 2HZD DM 3 and BL36325 - 1A - 2HZD DM 3. 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.
