Vinyl pressings
by Romeo Void · 1982
Benefactor was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 11 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.
T1 AL-38182-1C STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
T1 BL-38182-1D STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
o T1 AL-38182-1C STERLING B4Runout A, variant 2
o T1 BL-38182-1D STERLING B1Runout B, variant 2
p 0 AL-38182-1A STERLINGSide A, runout, var.1
p 0 BL-38182-1A STERLINGSide B, runout, var.1
p 0 AL-38182-1B STERLINGSide A, runout, var.2
0̸ BL-38182-1A STERLINGSide B, runout, var.2
G1 AL-38182-1F STERLING A2Side A, runout
G1 BL-38182-1E STERLING A7Side B, runout
AL 38182Side A, label
BL 38182Side B, label
IT XSM-170388-1D 2Λ 0Runout Side A, etched
IT XSM-170389-1D Λ2 0Runout Side B, etched
STERLINGRunout both Sides, stamped
AL-38182-1A-2HZ: DM-4Side A runout
BL-38182-1A-2HZ: DM-3Side B runout
AL 38182Side A label
BL 38182SIde 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | CBS SBP 237879 / 415 Records ARC 38182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CX 85955 / 415 Records CBSCX 85955First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | CBS PC 38182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Columbia PC 38182 / 415 Records PC 38182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | CBS CX 85955First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2398First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2398First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | CBS CX 85955 / 415 Records CX 85955First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237879 / 415 Records SBP 237879First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | CBS S 85955First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS 85955 / CBS 85955First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Columbia ARC 38182 / 415 Records ARC 38182First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Columbia AS 1552 / 415 Records AS 1552First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Columbia ARC 38182 / 415 Records ARC 38182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Columbia ARC 38182 / 415 Records ARC 38182First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 38182 / 415 Records PC 38182LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 38182 / 415 Records PC 38182LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 38182 / 415 Records PC 38182LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Benefactor are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia ARC 38182.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARC 38182, AS 1552, CBS 85955, FC 38182) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 AL-38182-1C STERLING and T1 BL-38182-1D STERLING. 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.
