Vinyl pressings
by Lake · 1979
Paradise Island 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.
11 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
83.480 A IIRunout side A, variant 1
CBS 83 480 BRunout side B, variant 1
CBS 83 480 A SSTRunout side A, variant 2, etched
CBS 83 480 B1 SSTRunout side B, variant 2, etched
CBS S 83480 A1Runout Etching Side A
CBS S 83480 B1Runout Etching Side B
P AL-35817-1C 1T ºSide 1 Stamped 1T Etched
P LL-35817-1D 1T ºSide 2 Stamped 1T Etched
S1 P AL-35817-1ESide A runout, stamped [S1 etched]
S1 P BL-35917-1ESide B runout, stamped [S1 etched]
P AL 35817-1A Λ PSide A Stamped
P BL-35817-1A PSide B Stamped
AL 35817Side A Label
BL 35817Side B Label
P AL-35817-1E S1 B4Side A Runout, Stamped/Etched
P BL-35817-1E S1 B4Side B Runout, Stamped/Etched
AL 35817Side A Label
BL 35817Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83 480 / CBS CBS 83480First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | CBS CBS P 83 480First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1979 | Germany | CBS CBS 83 480LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Germany | CBS CBS P 83 480First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1979 | Spain | CBS S 83 480 CBSFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | CBS S CBS 83480 / CBS JC 35817First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35817First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35817First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35817First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35817First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35817First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia JC 35817First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Paradise Island are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Europe, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is CBS CBS 83 480.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 83 480, S CBS 83480, JC 35817, CBS P 83 480) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 83.480 A II and CBS 83 480 B. 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.
