Vinyl pressings
by Lenny White · 1977
Big City 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.
10 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
ST-NE-763781-B MR [Monarch Logo] AT △22023 (PR)Etched/Stamped, Runout Side A
ST-NE-763782-B MR [Monarch Logo] △22023-X (PR)Etched/Stamped, Runout Side B
ST-NE-763781-MOLabel side A
ST-NE-763782-MOLabel side B
ST-NE-763781-B ATSide A etched, variant 1
ST-NE-763782-BSide B etched, variant 1
ST-NE-763781-BBB-1 AT PRCSide A etched, variant 2
ST-NE-763782-BBB PRC (PR)Side B etched, variant 2
ST-NE-763781-B AT (PR)PSide A runout
ST-NE-763782-B (PR) PSide B runout
ST-NE-763781-PRLabel side A
ST-NE-763782-PRLabel side B
K-50345.A-1 ALLENSide A, Etched
K-50345.B-1Side B, Etched
ST-NE-763781-1A-2HK
ST-NE-763782-1A-2G
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 | Canada | Nemperor Records NE 441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Nemperor Records 50.345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Nemperor Records NE 50 345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Atlantic P-10322AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Nemperor Records ATL 50345 / Nemperor Records NE 441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Nemperor Records NE 441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Nemperor Records K 50345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Nemperor Records NE 441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Nemperor Records NE 441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Nemperor Records NE 441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Nemperor Records K 50345LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Big City are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Nemperor Records NE 441.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NE 441, K 50345, 50.345, NE 50 345) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-NE-763781-B MR [Monarch Logo] AT △22023 (PR) and ST-NE-763782-B MR [Monarch Logo] △22023-X (PR). 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.
