Vinyl pressings
by Kansas · 1979
Monolith 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.
35 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
T1 AL-36008-1J STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
T1-BL36008-1J STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
o T1 AL-36008-1G A2 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
o T1 BL-36008-1C C8 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
S 2 AL-36008-1E SX B1 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
○ T1 BL-36008-1C STERLING E7Side B runout, variant 1
S AL-36008-1F SXT STERLING F3Side A runout, variant 2
○ T1 BL-36008-1J STERLING ˄7Side B runout, variant 2
AL-36008-1A STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
BL-36008-1B STERLING PSide B runout, variant 1
AL • 36008- 1B STERLING PSide A runout, variant 2
BL-36008-1B 5 STERLING A PSide B runout, variant 2
AL-36008- 1B G STERLING A PSide A etched / G, Sterling, A, P stamped
BL-36008-1B G STERLING PSide B etched / G, Sterling, P stamped
AL 36008Side A label
BL 36008Side B label
P AL-36008-1A STERLINGVariant 1 Side One runout
P BL-36008-1B STERLINGVariant 1 Side Two runout
AL • 36008- 1B STERLING PVariant 2 Side One runout
BL-36008-1B 5 STERLING A PVariant 2 Side Two runout
T1 AL-36008-1CSide One Etched
T1-BL36008-1CSide Two Etched
C STERLINGBoth Sides 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 | Argentina | Epic 147.170First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Epic ELPS 3998 / Kirshner ELPS 3998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Epic 235037 / Epic 501.404.214First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Colombia | Epic 19199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Kirshner KIR 83644First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | Kirshner KIR 83644First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Epic KIR 83644First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 1590First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Israel | Kirshner KIR 83644First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Epic EPC 83644First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Kirshner 25AP 1590First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Kirshner 25AP 1590First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Mexico | Epic LNS-17267First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 3998First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Portugal | Kirshner Kir 40-83644First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Yugoslavia | Suzy EPC 83644 / Epic EPC 83644LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US | Kirshner FRM 36008 / Friday Music FRM 36008LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Friday Music FRM-36008LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2374 / Kirshner MOVLP2374LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Harmony 148.093 / Harmony 148093LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Kirshner KIR 83644LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Kirshner PZ 36008 / CBS Associated Records PZ 36008LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Kirshner FZ 36008 / CBS Associated Records FZ 36008LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of Monolith are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1979 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Kirshner FZ 36008.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FZ 36008, PZ 36008, KIR 83644, 147.170) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 AL-36008-1J STERLING and T1-BL36008-1J STERLING. 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.
