Vinyl pressings
by Paul Kantner · 1973
Baron Von Tollbooth & The Chrome Nun was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, the album's first year, in 9 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.
BFL1-0148-A-3s H [TLC logo]Runout, variant 1, side A
BFL1-0148-B-4s H [TLC logo]Runout, variant 1, side B
BFL1-0148-A-2s A1 [TLC logo]Runout, variant 2, side A
BFL1-0148-A-1s B2 [TLC logo]Runout, variant 2, side B
BFL1-0148A-34 1 ʌ1Side A (Stamped)
DSide A (Etched)
BFL1-0148B-30 1 ʌ2Side B (Stamped)
ASide B (Etched)
BFL1-0148-A-1s TLC[boxed] I ʌ1Runout side A, variant 1
BFL1-0148-B-1s TLC[boxed] I ʌ1Runout side B, variant 1
BFL1-0148-A-2s TLC[boxed] I ʌ1Runout side A, variant 2
BFL1-0148-B-1s TLC[boxed] I ʌ2Runout side B, variant 2
BFLI 0148-A 1E A Side A1 A5Runout, side A, etched
BFLI 0148-B 1E B Side A1 AARunout, side B, etched
BFL1 0148 ALabel, side A
BFL1 0148 BLabel, side B
BFLI 0148-A 1E A SideRunout, side A, etched, variant 1
BFLI 0148-B 1E B SideRunout, side B, etched, variant 1
BFLI 0148-A 1E A Side A1 URunout, side A, etched, variant 2
BFLI 0148-B 1E B Side A1 URunout, side B, etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | France | Grunt BFL1-0148 / Grunt BFL1 0148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Grunt BFL1-0148 (FTR)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Grunt BFL 1-0148First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Israel | Grunt BFL1-0148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Grunt BFL1-0148First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Grunt RCA-6161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | RCA Victor BFL1-0148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Grunt FL-10148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Grunt BFL1 0148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Grunt BFL 1-0148 / Grunt BFLI 0148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Grunt BFL 1-0148 / Grunt BFLI 0148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Grunt BFL1-0148First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Grunt BFL1-0148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Grunt BFL1-0148First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Grunt BFL1-0148First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Grunt AYL1-3799LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Italy | RCA YL 13799 / Grunt YL 13799LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | RCA NL 13799LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Grunt BFL1-0148 / Grunt BFL1 0148LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Grunt BFL 1-0148 / Grunt 26.21350LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Grunt BFL 1-0148 (FTR)LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Grunt FL 80148LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Grunt BXL1-0148LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
28 vinyl pressings of Baron Von Tollbooth & The Chrome Nun are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1973 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Italy, France and more. One of them is Grunt BFL1-0148.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BFL1-0148, BFL1 0148, BFL 1-0148, BFL1-0148 (FTR)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BFL1-0148-A-3s H [TLC logo] and BFL1-0148-B-4s H [TLC logo]. 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.
