Vinyl pressings
by Peter Hammill · 1973
Chameleon In The Shadow Of The Night 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.
9 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 3 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.
CAS 1067 A-2Urunout Side A, variant 1
CAS 1067 B-1U 'SOFA SOGOOD.'runout Side B, variant 1
CAS 1067 A-2U 1 GMrunout Side A, variant 2
CAS 1067 B-1U 'SOFA SOGOOD.' 1 GHrunout Side B, variant 2
CAS 1067ASide A label
CAS 1067BSide B label
6369937 1 2 16 05 73 02 1Side A runout, stamped; final "1", mirrored
6369 937 2 1 520 16 05 73 02 3Side B runout, stamped; final "3", mirrored
6369 937.1Side A label
6369 937.2Side B label
AA 6369 937 1Y 1 Ⓟ 1973 670 [] 3 03Stampings Side A
AA 6369 937 2Y 1 Ⓟ 1973 670 ]] 1 03Stampings Side B
AA 6369 937 1Y 1 Ⓟ 1973 670 [] 3 03Runout side A, stamped
AA 6369 937 2Y 1 Ⓟ 1973 670 ]] 1 03Runout side B, stamped
AA 6369 937 1Y 1 Ⓟ 1973 670 [] 3 03Stampings side A
AA 6369 937 2Y 1 Ⓟ 1973 670 ]] 1 03Stampings side B
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 | Unknown | Charisma 6369 937 / Charisma CAS 1067First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Charisma 6369 937 AFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Charisma 6369 937 / Philips 6369 937First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Charisma 6369 937First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Charisma 6369 937First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Charisma 6369 937First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Charisma 6369 937First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Charisma 6369 937First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Charisma CAS 1067First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Charisma CAS 1067LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Charisma 9124 051LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Greece | Charisma 9124 051LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Charisma 9124 051LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Charisma 9124 051LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Chameleon In The Shadow Of The Night are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1973 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Italy, Netherlands. One of them is Charisma CAS 1067, released May 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAS 1067, 6369 937, 6369 937 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAS 1067 A-2U and CAS 1067 B-1U 'SOFA SOGOOD.'. 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.
