Vinyl pressings
by Maynard Ferguson · 1977
Conquistador 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.
22 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.
AL-34457-1B 1T CSide A runout, stamped
BL .4457-1D 1T CSide B runout, stamped
AL 34457-1B 1T CSide A runout, stamped ["1T" etched]
BL-34457-1B 1T 0Side B runout, stamped ["1T" etched]
S1 AL 34457-1C B6Side A Runout Etched, Except AL 34457-1C Stamped Variant 1
S1 BL-34457-1C B5Side B Runout Etched, Except BL-34457-1C Stamped Variant 1
S1 AL 34457-1C A5Side A Runout Etched, Except AL 34457-1C Stamped Variant 2
S1 BL 34457-1C D1Side B Runout Etched, Except AL 34457-1C Stamped Variant 2
AL 34457-1DSide A Stamped
BL-34457-1B 1T CSide B Stamped
Side 1 AL : 34457 1 A
Side 2 BL : 34457 1 A
AL 34457-1G | T O ASide A runout, variant 1
P BL 34457-2BSide B runout, variant 1
P AL 34457-2G T\ o P5Side A runout, variant 2
BL 34457-2D \T A3 oSide B runout, variant 2
0 AL 34457-2H AL 34459-2H [scratched out] COLUMBIA NY VA-Side Runout
P BL-34457 G2A 1 CBS-GA MKCB-Side Runout
P AL 34457-2C CA-Side Runout, variant 2
P BL 34457-2BB-Side Runout, variant 2
p AL 34457-1A AA-Side Runout (Variant 1)
p BL 34457-1A B 1B-Side Runout (Variant 1)
p AL 34457-1A AA-Side Runout (Variant 2)
p BL 34457-1A 2 AB-Side Runout Etching (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 | CBS SBP234975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 81839 / CBS PC 34457First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | CBS CBS 81839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 441First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5551First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS SBP234975First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Peru | Epic S.E. 3334First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | CBS ASF 1956 / Columbia 34457First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | CBS S 81839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S 81839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Columbia S 81839 / Columbia 81839First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34457First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PCQ 34457First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34457 / Columbia 34457First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia HC 44457LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia HC 44457LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| 1982 | Venezuela | CBS LJ-120.009LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | CBS CBS 81839LP, Album | LP, Album |
26 vinyl pressings of Conquistador are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1977 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia PC 34457.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 34457, PCQ 34457, S 81839, SBP234975) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-34457-1B 1T C and BL .4457-1D 1T C. 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.
