Vinyl pressings
by London Symphony Orchestra · 1977
Star Wars (Main Title) 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.
28 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 12 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.
M-2345-B5-RE-1X. AZSide A runout etched (Variant 1)
M-2345-AS XSide B runout etched (Variant 1)
p M-2345-BS-RE-1 X AZ 3 1A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
p M-2345-AS X AZ 3- 1B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
M 2345-BS TML-SRunout area side A
M 2345-AS TML-SRunout area side AA
M-2345-BSLabel side A
M-2345-ASLabel side AA
M 2345 AS-1A [TML-M]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
M-2345-BS-RE-1 1.B AZ SSSSSSSide B Runout, etched [stamped]
M-2345-ASSide A Label
M-2345-BS-RE-1Side B Label
M 2345-AS TML-M TIIRunout A
M-2345-BS-RE-1-1 AZ K TIIIIRunout B
M-2345-ASLabel A
M-2345-BSLabel B
M 2345-AS-1B [TML-S] sA-side runout
M-2345-BS-RE-1 Spec DJ-1B [TML-M] sB-side runout
M-2345-ASA-side label
M-2345-BS-RE-1B-side label
M 2345 AS-1A [TML-M] SSSSSide A Runout, etched [stamped]
M-2345-BS-1A [TML-M] SSide B Runout, etched [stamped]
M-2345-ASSide A Label
M-2345-BSSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | 20th Century Records K-6841First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | 20th Century Records 1209-2345First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | 20th Century Records 1209-2345First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Canada | 20th Century Records TC-2345First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Disc'Az SG 651 / 20th Century Records SG 651First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Italy | 20th Century Records 6162129First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Japan | 20th Century Records CML 12 / 20th Century Records CML-12First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | RSO 7DW 0030First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Mexico | Gamma G-1891First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Netherlands | 20th Century Records 6162 129First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | 20th Century Records K 6841 / 20th Century Records TC 2345First year7" | 7" |
| 1977 | Nicaragua | 20th Century Records TC 10078First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Spain | 20th Century Records 02.1275/0First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Spain | 20th Century Records 02.1275/0First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Spain | 20th Century Records 02.1275/10First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | 20th Century-Fox Record Corporation 1036757", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | 20th Century Fox Records SS-32697", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Walt Disney Records D00254911110", 33 ⅓ RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2019 | UK & US | Walt Disney Records D003217621 / Lucasfilm Ltd. D0032176217", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
34 vinyl pressings of Star Wars (Main Title) are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1977 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is 20th Century Records TC-2345.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TC-2345, BTC 2345, FMS-40, K-6841) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M-2345-B5-RE-1X. AZ and M-2345-AS X. 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.
