Vinyl pressings
by Ron Carter · 1977
Pastels 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.
7 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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 M0973A - 1 [Eyes with eyebrows] FML 12876DT CRPTH # 1 Λ [stamped]Runout groove side A, etched
T1 M0973B - 1 [Eyes with eyebrows] FML 12 876DT CRPTH # 1Runout groove side B, etched
M-9073-ACenter label side A
M-9073-BCenter label side B
M0973ARE1 1-A [Eyes with eyebrows] FML 12876DT CRPTH#1 B1 S1Side A runout
M0973BRE1 -1A [Eyes with eyebrows] FML 12876DT CRPTH #1 S1Side B runout
M-9073-ASide A label
M-9073-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Germany | Milestone BLPS 19259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Milestone MSM 9073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Milestone SMJ-6162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Milestone SMJ-6162First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Milestone M-9073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Milestone M-9073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Milestone M-9073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Milestone M-9073LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Japan | Milestone VIJ 6433LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | South Korea | Yeh Eum Records YFJL 624 / Milestone M-9073LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Milestone M9108LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Milestone M9108LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Milestone M-9073LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Pastels are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Germany, Italy and more. One of them is Milestone M-9073, released February 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M-9073, BLPS 19259, MSM 9073, SMJ-6162) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 M0973A - 1 [Eyes with eyebrows] FML 12876DT CRPTH # 1 Λ [stamped] and T1 M0973B - 1 [Eyes with eyebrows] FML 12 876DT CRPTH # 1. 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.
