Vinyl pressings
by Peter Brown · 1979
Stargazer 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, 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.
STERLING DR X 6281 A 97178Variant 1, A-Side Runout Etching
STERLING DR X 6281 B AM 97182Variant 1, B-Side Runout Etching
STERLING DR X 6281 A 97180Variant 2, A-Side Runout Etching
STERLING DR X 6281 B AM 97181Variant 2, B-Side Runout Etching
STERLING DR X 6281 A 97178A-Side Runout Etching
STERLING DR X 6281 B AM 97182B-Side Runout Etching
DRIX-6281-AA-Side Label
DRIX-6281-BB-Side Label
SRERLING DR X 6281 A VPSSide A Runout
STERLING DR X 6281 B VPSSide B Runout
DRIX-6281-ASide A Label
DRIX-6281-BSide B Label
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 | Australia | Epic ES 445First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | T.K. Records DJK4-2055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Costa Rica | CBS 15044First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | T.K. Records S TKR 7579First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Drive DRIX-6281First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Drive DRIX-6281First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Drive DRIX-6281First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Drive DRIX-6281First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | Drive DRIX-6281First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | T.K. Records S TKR 75797", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Stargazer are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Costa Rica, Australia and more. One of them is Drive DRIX-6281.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DRIX-6281, S TKR 7579, 15044, ES 445) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING DR X 6281 A 97178 and STERLING DR X 6281 B AM 97182. 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.
