Vinyl pressings
by Meco Monardo · 1979
Themes From Superman 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.
26 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 13 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.
NB 964 AS-CT1 T111 STERLINGRunout side A, etched, except [STERLING] stamped
NB 964 BS-CT1 T1 STERLING TRunout side B, etched, except [STERLING] stamped
(NB 964 AS)Label A-side
(NB 964 BS)Label B-side
NBD-20149-ASRunout
NBD 20149 ASLabel
NB 964-AS-CS1 SSSide A Runout, etched
NB 964-BS-CS1 SSSSide B Runout, etched
(NB 964 AS)Side A Label
(NB 964 BS)Side B Label
P NB 964 AS-CP 1 STERLINGSide A Runout
P NB 964-BS-CP2 STERLINGSide B Runout
(NB 964 AS)Side A Label
(NB 964 BS)Side B Label
S NBD-20149-AS-1B STERLINGRunout
NBD 20149 ASLabel
NB 964 AS-CT1Runout A: Hand etched
NB 964 BS-CT1Runout B: Hand etched
NB 964 ASLabel A-side
NB 964 BSLabel B-side
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 | Brazil | RCA 101.8118First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Quality QDC 10First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Millennium MN 626XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | El Salvador | RCA CA-10648First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | RCA XB 1073 / RCA Victor XB 1073First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA XB 1073 / RCA Victor XB 1073First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA XB 1073 / RCA Victor XB 1073First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Italy | RCA Victor XB 1073First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA SS-3199First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Mexico | RCA SP-5175First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RCA Victor XB-1073First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Portugal | RCA Victor XB 1073First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Rhodesia | RCA Victor 42 907First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA XB-1073First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Casablanca NB 9647", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Themes From Superman are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Netherlands, Brazil and more. One of them is Casablanca NB 964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NB 964, NBD 20149, NBD 20149 DJ, NB 964 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NB 964 AS-CT1 T111 STERLING and NB 964 BS-CT1 T1 STERLING T. 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.
