Vinyl pressings
by Russ Ballard · 1978
At The Third Stroke was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
AL35035.1A.2HZRunout side A, variant 1
AL35035.1B.2H,ZRunout side B, variant 1
AL35035.1A.2HZ oRunout side A, variant 2
BL 35035-1B-2H,Z oRunout side B, variant 2
AL35035.1A.2HZRunout A
AL35035.1B.2H,ZRunout B
AL 35035Label A
BL 35035Label B
POGO STERLING EPC-S-82629-A-1 AL 35035Side A
STERLING TJ AM. BOYS DON'T DO THAT EPC-S-82629.B.1. BL35035Side B
STERLINGStamped
EPC-S-82629 A-1 AL 35035 ♡POGOSide 1
EPC-S-82629 B-1 BL 35035 AM. BOYS DON'T DO THATSide 2
AL-35035-1B ♡ POGO ♡ PN STERLING TJ PRunout Side A, etched except STERLING second ♡ stamped. Second heart is upside down.
BL-35035-1A AM. BOYS DON'T DO THAT PN ♡ STERLING TJ PRunout Side B, etched except STERLING ♡ stamped.
AL 35035 2[B crossed out]C [heart logo] POGO A4 STERLING TJ ISA Runout
BL 35035 2C STERLING TJ A5 AM. BOYS DON'T DO THAT ISB Runout
AL 35035A Label
BL 35035B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Epic ELPS3897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Europe | Epic EPC 82629 / Epic 82629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Epic 25･3P-13First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Epic 25･3P-13First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS3897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Epic KSF 2143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Epic EPC 82629 / Epic S EPC 82629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Epic EPC S 82629First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Epic JE 35035First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic PE 35035First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic PE 35035First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of At The Third Stroke are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Canada, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Epic PE 35035, released June 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PE 35035, EPC 82629, EPC S 82629, JE 35035) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL35035.1A.2HZ and AL35035.1B.2H,Z. 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.
