Vinyl pressings
by Roland Kirk · 1976
The Return Of The 5000 Lb. Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
1 S BS-2918 41260-2-ID VM ic /Side A runout
1 S P BS-2918 41261-2 VM ID SX G /Side B runout
S41 ,260Side A label
S41 ,261Side B label
VM 1 1̶4̶2̶6̶0̶-̶A̶ S BS-2918 - 41260-1A SXTSide A runout, variant 1
1 S BS-2918 41261-2 IE VMSide B runout, variant 1
VM 1 1̶4̶2̶6̶0̶-̶A̶ S BS-2918 - 41260-1A SX HSide A runout, variant 2
1 S BS-2918 41261-2 VM ID SX DSide B runout, variant 2
VM 1̶4̶2̶6̶0̶-̶H̶ S BS-2918- 41260-1A A2A-Side Runout Etching
IS BS-2918 41261-2 VM 1D A4B-Side Runout Etching
S41,260A-Side Label
S41,261B-Side Label
S41,260-1A-2G: 0
S41260-1A-2G:
P-10230 W 1 + - A - 5 +Runout side A stamped
P-10230 W2 1 4- 5 - CRunout side B stamped
2 1 〄 0 9 S 9 1 5 X 3 6 Y 1 609 ZDead wax side A stamped
P-10230W1Print on label A
P-10230 W1 4 - A - 1 +Runout side A stamped
P-10230 W2 4 - B - 2Runout side B stamped
P-10230W1Print on label A
P-10230W2Print on label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2918First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10230WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10230WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2918First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2918First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2918LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2918First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records BS 2918 / Warner Bros. Records 56.000LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 202 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56.202LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2918LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of The Return Of The 5000 Lb. Man are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Canada, Japan. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BS 2918.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BS 2918, P-10230W) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 S BS-2918 41260-2-ID VM ic / and 1 S P BS-2918 41261-2 VM ID SX G /. 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.
