Vinyl pressings
by Ray Charles · 1984
Friendship was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 10 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.
AL-39415-1F PSide A runout, variant 1
BL-39415-1A PSide B runout, variant 1
AL-39415-1F 1 1 P cSide A runout, variant 2
BL-39415-1A 1 B PSide B runout, variant 2
AL-39415-1C G1 AI2Side A runout, etched, variant 1
AL-39415-1D G1 B5Side B runout, etched, variant 1
AL-39415 G1A D G1 D1 (H-TR)Side A runout, etched, variant 2
AL-39415 G1A D G1 A21 (H-TR)Side B runout, etched, variant 2
AL-39415-1A-XHZ:Runout side A (Variant 1) etched
BL-39415-1A-2HZ:Runout side B (Variant 1) etched
DM- 26 AL-39415-1A-2HZ:Runout side A (Variant 2) etched
DM-10 BL-39415-1A-2HZRunout side B (Variant 2) etched
AL 39415Side A
BL 39415Side B
MX 204835 SBP 8030-1side A runout etched
MX 204836 SBP 8030-2side B runout etched
MX 204835Side 1, Printed
MX 204836Side 2, Printed
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Columbia 20688 / Columbia 20.688First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Argentina | Columbia 20688 / Columbia 20.688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 238030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | Discos CBS 138614First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBS 26060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | CBS CBS 26060 / CBS 26060First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 238030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | CBS 26060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | CBS ASF 3008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Columbia FC 39415First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Columbia AS 1920First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia FC 39415First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Columbia FC 39415First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Czechoslovakia | Supraphon 1113 3977 / CBS 1113 3977LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Czechoslovakia | Supraphon 1113 3977LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 26060LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
16 vinyl pressings of Friendship are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1984 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Canada, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia FC 39415, released July 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 39415, AS 1920, 20688, SBP 238030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-39415-1F P and BL-39415-1A P. 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.
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