Vinyl pressings
by Norman Connors · 1976
You Are My Starship 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.
10 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
BDAS 542A F/WRunout side A, variant 1
BDAS 542B F/WRunout side B, variant 1
BDAS 542A-PIT F/WRunout side A, variant 2
BDAS 542B X F/WRunout side B, variant 2
BDAS 542A-2 F/Wó RlT TIRunout side A, etched
BDAS 542 B-3 TIIRunout side B, etched
BDAS 542 ALabel A
BDAS 542 BLabel B
p BDAS 542 A-PIT F/W NYC SJRA-Side Runout Etching
p BDA 542 A-SHORT F/W NYC SJRB-Side Runout Etching
BDAS 542 ALabel A
BDA 542 ALabel B
D BDS 449 A-1 △GSide A - Etched
C BDS 449 B-1 △GSide B - Etched
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 | Brazil | Buddah Records CS-938First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Buddah Records BDA 542XFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Spain | Buddah Records 20 11 297First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | UK | Buddah Records BDS 449First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Buddah Records BDS 449First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Buddah Records BDS 449First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Buddah Records BDA 542First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Buddah Records BDA 542First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | Buddah Records BDA 542First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1976 | US | Buddah Records BDA 542First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of You Are My Starship are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Buddah Records BDA 542.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BDA 542, BDS 449, CS-938, BDA 542X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BDAS 542A F/W and BDAS 542B F/W. 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.
