Vinyl pressings
by Livingston Taylor · 1978
3-Way Mirror 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.
10 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
P PAL 33540-1DSide A runout, variant 1
P PBL 33540-1CSide B runout, variant 1
P PAL 33540-1D B 1Side A runout, variant 2
P PBL 33540-1C B 1Side B runout, variant 2
2 S PAL 33540-1ASide A - Etched
2 S PBL 33540-1ASide B - Etched
AL 35540Side A - Label
BL 35540Side B - Label
0 TI PAL 35540-1EX D 8Side A Etched [0 & D Stamped]
0 TI PBL-35540-1E Λ 10Side B Etched [0 & Λ Stamped]
P PAL 35540-1D I ARunout A etch / P, I A stamped
P PBL 35540-1C I ARunout B etch / P, I A stamped
AL 35540Matrix A on label
BL 35540Matrix B on label
o TI PAL 35540-1EI T2Runout, side A, etched except “o” stamp
o TI PBL-35540-1E C2Runout, side B, etched except “o” and “C” stamps
AL 35540Matrix A on label
BL 35540Matrix B on label
1 S PAL 33540-1B A4A runout
1 S PBL 33540-1A A2B runout
AL 35540A label
BL 35540B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Europe | Epic EPC 83234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Epic 25･3P-30First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Epic BL 35540 / Epic KSF 2178First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35540First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35540First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35540First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35540First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35540First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35540First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic PE 35540 / Epic 35540First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of 3-Way Mirror are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Epic JE 35540.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JE 35540, PE 35540, EPC 83234, 25･3P-30) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P PAL 33540-1D and P PBL 33540-1C. 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.
