Vinyl pressings
by Mahavishnu Orchestra · 1974
Apocalypse was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 15 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 AL-32957-1E ASide 1 Runout, Variant 1, Stamped
1T 7Side 1 Runout, Variant 1 Etched
P AL-32957-1C ASide 2 Runout, Variant 1 Stamped
1T 3Side 2 Runout, Variant 1 Etched
P AL 32957-1LA-side , variant 1
P BL 32957-1EB-side , variant 1
P AL 32957-1LA-side , variant 2
BL 32957-1HB-side , variant 2
o PAL 32957 -1F S ASide 1 Runout Stamped (except for etched "S A")
o P BL 32957-1D BSide 2 Runout Stamped (except for etched "B")
AL 32957Side 1 Label
BL 32957Side 2 Label
P AL-32957-1G P 01Side A runout, variant 1
P BL-32957-1E P 1Side B runout, variant 1
P AL-32957-1G PSide A runout, variant 2
P BL-32957-1F PSide B runout, variant 2
PAL-32957-1FRunout side A, stamped, Variant 1
P BL-32957-1DRunout side B, stamped, Variant 1
P AL 32957-1GRunout side A, stamped, Variant 2
P BL 32957-1ERunout side B, stamped, Variant 2
P AL 32957-1LRunout A side [Stamped], variant 1)
BL 32957-1HRunout B side [Stamped], variant 1
P P AL 32957-1HRunout A side [Stamped], variant 2
P P BL 32957-1ERunout B side [Stamped], 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | CBS 19.420First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Australia | CBS SBP-234499 / CBS SBP 234499First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Brazil | CBS 137851First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Columbia KC 32957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Europe | CBS S 69076 / CBS KC 32957First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Israel | CBS 69076First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | CBS 69076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPM 125First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPM 125First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 474210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Singapore | CBS/Sony KC32957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | Date DAS 2194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | CBS S 69076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Columbia KC 22957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | CBS S 69076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2209 / Columbia KC 32957LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Discos CBS 137851 / Discos CBS 137.851LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Discos CBS 137851 / Discos CBS 137.851LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS S 69076 / CBS CBS 69076LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 69076LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 69076LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Spain | CBS S 69076LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS 69076LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 32957LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 32957LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 32957LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 32957LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 32957LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
43 vinyl pressings of Apocalypse are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1974 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia KC 32957.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 32957, C 32957, S 69076, 19.420) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL-32957-1E A and 1T 7. 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.
