Vinyl pressings
by Randy Vanwarmer · 1980
Terraform was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 13 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.
BRK-1-6998-WW1 —◁ MASTERDISK-BKRunout side A [etched, exc "Masterdisk" stamped]
BRK-2-6998-WW1 —◁ MASTERDISK-BKRunout side B [etched, exc "Masterdisk" stamped]
BRK-1-6998-JW1 #1 MASTERDISK-BK 0Runout side A, variant 1
BRK-2-6998-JW1 #4 MASTERDISK-BK 0Runout side B, variant 1
BRK-1-6998-JW2 MASTERDISK RLRunout side A, variant 2
BRK-6998-JW1 MASTERDISK RLRunout side B, variant 2
BRK-1-6998-LW2. MASTERDISK RL ✲✲Runout side A, variant 1
BRK-2-6998-LW1. MASTERDISK RL ✲✲Runout side B, variant 1
BRK-1-6998-LW2. MASTERDISK RL ✲✲Runout side A, variant 2
BRK-2-6998-LW1. MASTERDISK RL 2 ✲✲Runout side B, variant 2
ILPS 9618 A-1U 4 1Runout stamp, side A
ILPS 9618 B-1U GRAEME - SOUND CLINIC 1Runout stamp / etching, side B
ILPS 9618-ASide A label
ILPS 9618-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Bearsville L37332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Bearsville XBR-6998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Bearsville 67.491First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Bearsville 202 206 / Bearsville 202 206-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Bearsville BRLP 6998First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Bearsville 25AP 1865 / CBS/Sony 25AP 1865First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Bearsville XDAP-93016First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Bearsville 25AP 1865First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Bearsville 202 206 / Bearsville 202.206First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | Bearsville CL 72800 (RISLP 14075)LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Portugal | Bearsville RISLP 14075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Bearsville BRK 6998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Bearsville BVL 69105 / Bearsville BRK-6998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Edigsa BRK 6998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Bearsville ILPS 9618First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Terraform are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Bearsville BRK 6998.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BRK 6998, ILPS 9618, L37332, XBR-6998) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BRK-1-6998-WW1 —◁ MASTERDISK-BK and BRK-2-6998-WW1 —◁ MASTERDISK-BK. 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.
