US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Virgin International VI 2085
- Format
- LP, Album · Hub-Servall Pressing
- Runout / matrix
VI2085-2A @tGP Hub ReRunout side A
VI2085-1B @tGP HuBRunout side B
Vinyl pressings
North Star
by Philip Glass · 1977
17 pressings7 countriesModern ClassicalExperimentalMinimalElectronic
North Star was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of North Star
9 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Virgin PZ 34669Virgin 34669
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
AL 34669-1D STERLING B o T 1Runout side A
BL 34669-1D STERLING A o T1Runout side B
AL 34669Label side A
BL 34669Label side B
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Virgin PZ 34669Virgin 34669
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
AL 34669-1E STERLING 1ϟRunout side A
BL 34669-1F STERLING 1ϟRunout side B
AL 34669Label side A
BL 34669Label side B
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Virgin PZ 34669Virgin 34669
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
AL 34669-1B STERLINGRunout side A
BA̶L 34669-1B STERLINGRunout side B
AL 34669Label side A
BL 34669Label side B
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Virgin PZ 34669Virgin 34669
- Format
- LP, Promo, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
AL34669-1D STERLING A 1 T I oRunout side A
BL 34669-1D STERLING 10 A o T IRunout side B
AL 34669A Side Label
BL 34669B Side Label
UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- Virgin V 2085
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
V-2085-ARunout side A
V-2085-B1Runout side B
V 2085-ALabel side A
V 2085-BLabel side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 17 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Virgin V 2085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Virgin VL 2384First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Virgin V 2085First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Virgin V 2085First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Virgin International VI 2085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Virgin PZ 34669 / Virgin 34669First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Virgin PZ 34669 / Virgin 34669First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Virgin PZ 34669 / Virgin 34669First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Virgin PZ 34669 / Virgin 34669First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2933 754LP, Album | LP, Album |
1980s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | Virgin VIP-4174LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Spain | Virgin E-208 144LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Virgin OVED 151LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Virgin 91013-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Virgin OVED 35LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Virgin OVED 35LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 151LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Étoile Polaire (North Star)2:35
- A2Victor's Lament3:35
- A3River Run1:50
- A4Mon Père, Mon Père3:52
- A5Are Years What? (For Marianne Moore)4:00
- B1Lady Day3:57
- B2Ange Des Orages3:38
- B3Ave4:42
- B4Ik-ook4:10
- B5Montage2:25
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of North Star are there?
17 vinyl pressings of North Star are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1977 and 1988.
When was North Star first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Virgin International VI 2085.
How do I tell if my copy of North Star is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VI 2085, PZ 34669, V 2085, VL 2384) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VI2085-2A @tGP Hub Re and VI2085-1B @tGP HuB. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is North Star on vinyl worth?
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.
