Vinyl pressings
by Nature Zone · 1976
Porcupine was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
ZCL 8150-12-X BESTEtched in runout, Side A
ZCL 8178-12-X BESTEtched in runout, Side B
STERLINGStamped in runout, both sides
ZCL 8150-12 BWPrinted on label, Side A
p ZCL 8150 x 1 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
p ZCL 8151 x 1B-Side Runout Etching
ZCL 8150A-Side Label
ZCL 8151B-Side Label
ZCL 8150 - 1 TIRunout, side A, etched, variant 2
ZCL 8151 1 TIRunout, side B, etched, variant 2
STERLINGRunout, side B, stamped, variant 2
(ZCL 8150)Label A
P ZCL8150 STERLINGA-side etched "P" and "STERLING" stamped
P ZCL8151-A STERLINGB-side etched, "P" and "STERLING" stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Unknown | London Records 6101 271First year7" | 7" |
| 1976 | Barbados | London Records 5N-235-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Belgium | London Records 105/26.500YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Brazil | London Records S7L-6170First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Canada | London Records L. 235First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | London Records L. 235First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | France | London Records 87.002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Jamaica | London Records 5N-235-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | London Records 6101 271First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Spain | London Records MO 1633First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | London Records HLU 10537First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | London Records HLU 10537First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | London Disco 5N - Disco 3000First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | London Disco 5N-235First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | London Records 5N-235First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Porcupine are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Barbados, Belgium and more. One of them is London Disco 5N - Disco 3000.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5N - Disco 3000, 5N-235, 5N-235-DJ, 5N- 235-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZCL 8150-12-X BEST and ZCL 8178-12-X BEST. 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.
