Vinyl pressings
by LaBelle · 1976
Chameleon 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.
12 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 9 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.
PAL P̶ ̶B̶L̶ 34189-1E 0 CRunout A variant 1
PBL P̶ ̶A̶L̶ 34189-1F 0 CRunout B variant 1
P PAL P̶ ̶B̶L̶ 34189-1F C IRunout A variant 2
PBL P̶ ̶A̶L̶ 34189-1F C I PRunout B variant 2
o OAK 34189-1K 1TA runout
1T PBL P Al 34189-1CB runout
AL 34189A label
BL 34189B label
EPC-S-81422-A1Runout, side A
EPC-S-81422-B1Runout, side B
A MX177499 ELPS3775-1Side 1 runout stamped
A MX177500 ELPS3775-2Side 2 runout stamped
MX177499Side 1 Label
MX177500Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Epic ELPS 3775First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Epic PE 34189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Europe | Epic EPC 81422 / Epic PE 34189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Epic EPC 81422First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | Japan | Epic 25AP 197First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 3775First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | Spain | Epic EPC 81422First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Epic S EPC 81422 / Epic PE 34189First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Epic PE 34189First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Epic PE 34189First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Epic PE 34189First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Epic PE 34189First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic PE 34189LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Chameleon are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic PE 34189.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PE 34189, S EPC 81422, ELPS 3775, EPC 81422) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL P̶ ̶B̶L̶ 34189-1E 0 C and PBL P̶ ̶A̶L̶ 34189-1F 0 C. 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.
