Vinyl pressings
by Parliament · 1979
Theme From The Black Hole 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.
9 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year. 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-2235-AS PRC-E-2-1-1 AZ PRCRunout A, variant 1
NB-2235-BS PRC-E-1-1-1 AZRunout B, variant 1
NB-2235-AS PRC-E-1-1-1 AZRunout A, variant 2
NB-2235-BS PRC-E-2-1-1 AZRunout B, variant 2
p NB-2235-AS P3 AzA-side runout, variant 1
p T1 NB-2235-BS TH-1 AzB-side runout, variant 1
NB-2235-AS P1 AZ ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀A-side runout, variant 2
T1 NB-2235-BS TH-1 AZB-side runout, variant 2
NB-2235-AS TH-2 AZSide A, runout
T NB-2235-BS TH-1 AZSide B, runout
NB 2235 ASSide A, label
NB 2235 BSSide B, label
p NBD-20208-AS CP-1 AZRunout Side A
NBD 20208 ASLabel Side A
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 | US | Casablanca NBD 20208 DJFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NB 2235 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NB 2235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NB 2235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NBD 20208 DJFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NB 2235First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NB 2235 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NB 2235First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Casablanca NB 2235First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | US | Collectables COL 48037", Single | 7", Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Theme From The Black Hole are listed here, from 1 country, released between 1979 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US. One of them is Casablanca NB 2235.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NB 2235, NBD 20208 DJ, NB 2235 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NB-2235-AS PRC-E-2-1-1 AZ PRC and NB-2235-BS PRC-E-1-1-1 AZ. 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.
