Vinyl pressings
by Lee Ritenour · 1978
The Captain's Journey was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
1-2 6E-136 A SPA Side Runout (Variant 1)
1-2 6E-136 B (RE) SPB Side Runout (Variant 1)
1-1 6E-136 A SPA Side Runout (Variant 2)
1-1 6E-136 B (RE) SPB Side Runout (Variant 2)
6E-136 A-1 PRCWA runout etched
6E-136 B-1 (RE) PRCWB runout etched
6E-136-A (PRC-W)Side A label
6E-136-B (PRC-W)Side B label
6E-136 A-2 PRC -11-1 PRCA Side Label
6E-136-B-2 (RE) PRC -11-11 PRCB Side Label
6E-136 A-4 CSM 1SA Side Runout
6E-136 B (RE) SP 1-B Side Runout
6E-136-AA Side Label
6E-136-BB Side Label
ST E6E 136A-30 (SRC logo)Side A Matrix/Runout
ST E6E 136 B-30 (SRC logo)Side B Matrix/Runout
6E-136-A SPA side label
6E-136-B SPB side label
6E-136 A SP 1-A side
6E-136 B (RE) SP 1-B side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Elektra 6E-136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Elektra 6E-136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 094First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 094First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Elektra P-10562EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Elektra P-10562EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Philippines | Elektra 6E-136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Elektra K52094First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-136First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-136First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-136First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-136First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-136LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Elektra P-6388ELP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Elektra ELK 52 094LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 094LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra 6E-136LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of The Captain's Journey are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-136.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-136, K52094, ELK 52 094, P-10562E) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-2 6E-136 A SP and 1-2 6E-136 B (RE) SP. 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.
