Vinyl pressings
by Justin Hayward · 1975
Blue Jays was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 17 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.
XZAL-13583.P-2WSide A runout stamped - variant 1
XZAL-13584.P-3WSide B runout stamped - variant 1
XZAL-13583.P-3WSide A runout stamped - variant 2
XZAL-13584.P-3WSide B runout stamped - variant 2
XZAL-13583.P-2WSide A stamped variant 1
XZAL-13584.P-2WSide B stamped variant 1
XZAL-13583.P-2W 2DSide A stamped variant 2
XZAL-13584.P-2W 2BSide B stamped variant 2
XZAL-13583.P-3W 1 D 7Side A runout stamped
XZAL-13584.P-3W 1 2 DSide B runout stamped
XZAL 13583PSide A Label
XZAL 13584PSide B Label
XZAL 13583 ③ KENDUN A WRunout side A etched except 'KENDUN A' stamped, variant 1
XZAL 13584 ④ KENDUN A WRunout side B etched except 'KENDUN A' stamped, variant 1
XZAL-13583 ③ KENDUN A WRunout side A etched except 'KENDUN A' stamped, variant 2
XZAL-13584- ③ KENDUN A WRunout side B etched except 'KENDUN A' stamped, variant 2
XZAL-13583 PPA AM KENDUN ASide A runout, variant 1
XZAL-13584A AK PP KENDUN ASide B runout, variant 1
XZAL-13583 PP AM KENDUN ASide A runout, variant 2
XZAL-13584A AM PPA KENDUN ASide B runout, variant 2
XZAL-13583-2 PRC KENDUN-B T1Side A runout etched; KENDUN-B stamped
XZAL-13584-2 PRC KENDUN-B Λ22 T1Side B runout etched; KENDUN-B stamped
XZAL 13583 THSide A on label
XZAL 13584 THSide B on 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Threshold THSS-12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | Threshold XZAL-13583 P / Threshold XTHL-30004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Threshold THS 14First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Threshold MIP-1-9365First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Threshold 278.059 / Threshold 278.059 BFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Threshold 6.22 222 (AO) / Threshold 6.22222 AOFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Greece | Threshold THS 12First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | Threshold THSI 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Threshold GP-147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Threshold GP-147First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Threshold 6376 600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Threshold 6376 600First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Threshold THS 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Portugal | Threshold P-THS 12First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | Threshold ML.4005First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Threshold THS 14LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | South Korea | Threshold THS 12 / Sung Eum Limited SEL-RD 620LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Threshold 779793-4LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Israel | PAX ISK 1121LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | Threshold DOA 8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Threshold DOA 8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Threshold THS 14LP, Album | LP, Album |
41 vinyl pressings of Blue Jays are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1975 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is Threshold THS 12.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use THS 12, THS 14, ML.4005, THSS-12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-13583.P-2W and XZAL-13584.P-3W. 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.
