Vinyl pressings
by Mark Colby · 1978
Serpentine Fire 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.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
AL 35298-1BRunout side A, stamped variant 1
BL 35298-2ARunout side B, etched variant 1
AL 35298-1BRunout side A, stamped variant 2
BL 35298-2BRunout side B, etched variant 2
P AL 35298-1ARunout side A, stamped variant 1
P BL 35298-2ARunout side B, etched variant 1
AL 35298-1A PSide A Runout, Stamped
BL 35298-2B PSide B Runout, Etched
AL 35298Side A Label
BL 35298Side B Label
AL 35298-1A-2G ºA runout etched, º stamped
BL 35298-1A-2G ºB runout etched, º stamped
AL 35298A label matrix
BL 35298B label matrix
CBS OI-82668-IA-I AL 35298-1BSide A
CBS OI-82668-IB-I BL 35298-2BSide B
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 | Tappan Zee Records CBS 82668 / CBS CBS 82668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 985First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 985First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Spain | CBS S 82668First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Tappan Zee Records JC 35298 / Columbia 35298First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Tappan Zee Records PC 35298 / Columbia PC 35298First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Tappan Zee Records JC 35298 / Columbia 35298First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Tappan Zee Records JC 35298 / Columbia 35298First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Tappan Zee Records 82668 / CBS 82668LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS CBS.S.82668LP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Serpentine Fire are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada, South Africa, Europe and more. One of them is Tappan Zee Records JC 35298, released March 23, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 35298, PC 35298, ASF 2242, CBS 82668) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 35298-1B and BL 35298-2A. 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.
