Vinyl pressings
by LeBlanc & Carr · 1977
Midnight Light was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ST-BT 773825-A Sterling (PR) PRunout area side A
ST-BT 773826-A Sterling (PR) PRunout area side B
ST-BT-77825-PRLabel side A
ST-BT-77826-PRLabel side B
ST-BT-773825-AAA-1 (PR) STERLINGRunout A
ST-BT-773826-AAA-1 (PR) STERLINGRunout B
ST-BT-773825-RILabel A
ST-BT-773826-RILabel B
ST-BT-773825-AA [Monarch logo] △22158 (5) (PR) STERLINGRunout side A
ST-BT-773826-AA [Monarch logo] △22158-X (2) (PR) STERLINGRunout side B
ST-BT-77825-MOLabel side A
ST-BT-77826-MOLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Big Tree Records BT 89521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Big Tree Records BT 89521First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Big Tree Records P-10540AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Big Tree Records P-10540AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Big Tree Records BT 89521First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Big Tree Records BT 89521First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Big Tree Records BT 89521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Venezuela | Atlantic GM-200.2381 / Atlantic Lps.200.2381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Argentina | Music Hall 14.439 / Big Tree Records 14.439LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Big Tree Records K 50474 / Big Tree Records BT 89521LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Midnight Light are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Big Tree Records BT 89521.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BT 89521, P-10540A, GM-200.2381) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-BT 773825-A Sterling (PR) P and ST-BT 773826-A Sterling (PR) P. 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.
