Vinyl pressings
by London Symphony Orchestra · 1977
The Story Of Star Wars 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.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 10 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.
15 M-550-AS SM-1 AZ⚘JSide A etched variant 1
\S M-550-BS - SM-3 AZ⚘JSide B etched variant 1
IS M-550-AS SM-3 Az[flower]J G 2Side A etched variant 2
IS M-550-BS SM-4 Az[flower]J A 32Side B etched variant 2
M-PR-103-AS-3 AZSide A runout, etched
M-PR-103-BS-1 AZSide B runout, etched
M-550-ASA Side Label
M-550-BSB Side Label
T / M-550-AS TH-3 Az ❀ JA Side Etch
M-550-BS SM-5 AZ A6 SXTB Side Etch
M-550-AS CP-2 AZ⚘Runout Side A [Etched], Variant 1
M-550-BS CP-1 AZ⚘JRunout Side B [Etched], Variant 1
M-550-AS CP3 AZ⚘JRunout Side A [Etched], Variant 2
M-550-BS CP-3 AZ⚘JRunout Side B [Etched], Variant 2
1T M-550-AS TH-2 Az ❀ LA side runout, variant 1
1T M-550-BS TH-3 Az ❀ J L6B side runout, variant 1
/T M-550-AS TH-2 Az⚘A side runout, variant 2
T/ M-550-BS TH-2 Az⚘JB side runout, variant 2
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 Fox Records L 36496 / 20th Century Fox Records T-550First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Canada | 20th Century Records 9209-550First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Canada | 20th Century Fox Records T-550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Ecuador | 20th Century Records LP-34001First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-1019First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Netherlands | 20th Century Fox Records 9199 529First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | New Zealand | 20th Century Fox Records SMX 52101 ( T 550 )First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | New Zealand | 20th Century Fox Records L 36496First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | South Africa | 20th Century Fox Records ML 4167First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Spain | 20th Century Fox Records 17.1325/8First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | UK | 20th Century Fox Records BSW 1001First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | 20th Century Fox Records T 550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | 20th Century Fox Records T-550First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | 20th Century Fox Records PR-103First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1977 | US | 20th Century Fox Records T-550LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Buena Vista Records 62101LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Canada | Buena Vista Records 62101LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Buena Vista Records 62101LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | US | 20th Century Fox Records A-50LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | 20th Century Fox Records A-50LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of The Story Of Star Wars are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1977 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is 20th Century Fox Records T-550.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-550, PR-103, BSW 1001, T 550) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 15 M-550-AS SM-1 AZ⚘J and \S M-550-BS - SM-3 AZ⚘J. 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.
