Vinyl pressings
by Meco Monardo · 1979
Moondancer was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
STERLING A-2 ᐉ NBLP-7155-AS-K1Side 1 Runout
STERLING A-1 ᐉ NBLP-7155-BS-K2Side 2 Runout
NBLP 7155 ASSide 1 Label
NBLP 7155 BSSide 2 Label
NBLP 7155 ASSide 1 Label
NBLP 7155 BSSide 2 Label
NBLP 7155 AS-PR2-1-1Side A etched
NBLP 7155 BS-PR2-1-1Side B etched
STERLINGStamped on both sides
NBLP 7155 ASSide A Label
NBLP 7155 ASSide 1 Label
NBLP 7155 BSSide 2 Label
NBLP 7155-AS-PRC1 STERLINGA run-out etching, STERLING stamped
NBLP 7155-BS-PRC2 STERLINGB run-out etching, STERLING stamped
NBLP 7155 ASA label
NBLP 7155 BSB label
XL 13084-A-3E AI CEtched Side A, Variant 1
XL 13084-B-1E AI DEtched Side B, Variant 1
XL 13084-A-3E W AI AEtched Side A, Variant 2
XL 13084-B-1E AI A .M.Etched Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RCA Victor DXL1 - 3084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Quality SV 2041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA RVP-6415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA RVP-6415First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Philippines | RCA Victor DXL1-3084First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | RCA Victor DXL1-3084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA XL-13084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA XL-13084First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | RCA Victor XL 13084 / RCA Victor DXL1 3084First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NBLP 7155LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Venezuela | Vik LPVS-1865First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Mexico | RCA Victor MILS-4438First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NBLP 7155 DJFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NBLP 7155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NBLP 7155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Moondancer are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Mexico, Australia and more. One of them is Casablanca NBLP 7155, released June 25, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NBLP 7155, NBLP 7155 DJ, XL 13084, MILS-4438) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING A-2 ᐉ NBLP-7155-AS-K1 and STERLING A-1 ᐉ NBLP-7155-BS-K2. 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.
