Vinyl pressings
by Kris Kristofferson · 1976
Surreal Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 7 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 AL34254IF TML-MSide A runout etched, TML-M stamped, variant 1
T1 BL34254IE TML-MSide B runout etched, TML-M stamped, variant 1
AL 34254 1B TML-MSide A runout etched, TML-M stamped, variant 2
BL 34254 1B TML-MSide B runout etched, TML-M stamped, variant 2
T1 AL34254 1E F3 TML-SSide A runout etched, TML-S stamped
T1 BL34254 1F ^6 TML-MSide B runout etched, TML-M stamped
S AL 34254 1C A2 TML-SRunout, side A, etched, TML-S stamped
1S BL 34254 1C A1 TML-SRunout, side B, etched, TML-S stamped
AL 34254Label, side A
BL 34254Label , side B
P AL 34254 1A TML-SSide A runout etched, TML-S stamped, variant 2
P BL 34254 1B TML-MSide B runout etched, TML-M stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Monument PZ 34254First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Monument PZ 34254LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Europe | Monument MNT 81496First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Europe | Monument MNT 81496 / Monument PZ 34254First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Monument L35970 / Monument PZ-34254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | Monument MON 1011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | Monument MNT 81496First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Monument MNT 81496 / Monument S MNT 81496First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Monument PZ 34254First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Monument PZ 34254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Monument PZ 34254First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Monument PZ 34254First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Monument PZ 34254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Monument PZ 34254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Monument 25AP 326LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Monument L 35970 / Monument L-35,970LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Monument MNT 81496LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Surreal Thing are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Monument PZ 34254, released July 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PZ 34254, MNT 81496, L35970, MON 1011) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 AL34254IF TML-M and T1 BL34254IE 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.
