Vinyl pressings
by Sky · 1985
The Great Balloon Race was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, the album's first year, in 6 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.
EPC 26419 A//1▽420 T 1 1 4 POUNDA TA1PERunout side A, variant 1
EPC 26419 A//1▽420 T 1 1 2Runout side B, variant 1
EPC 26419 A//1▽420 T 1 1 1 POUNDA TA1PERunout side A, variant 2
EPC 26419 A//1▽420 T 1 1 4Runout side B, variant 2
EPC CBS 26419 A1 Penthouse < NICKZRunout side A etched, CBS scratched out, Penthouse < stamped
EPC CBS 26419 B1 Penthouse NICKZRunout side B etched, CBS scratched out, Penthouse stamped
EPC 26419 A*Label side A
EPC 26419 B*Label side B
MAL42052-1G G1Side A (etched)
MBL42052-1A G1Side B (etched)
△ MX 215617-B ELPS 4474-1Runout Side A etched
△ MX 215618-D ELPS 4474-2Runout Side B etched
MX215617Label Side A
MX215618Label Side B
01-26419-A Di HP-GrEECERunout, side A
01-26419-B HP-GrEECERunout, side B
01 -026419 -1Label, side A
01 -026419 -2Label, side B
ISRAEL 01-26419-A D1Side A runout etched
HP ISRAEL 01-26419-BSide B runout stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Greece | Epic EPC 26419 / Epic 26419First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1985 | Israel | Epic CBS 26419First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 26419First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Epic EPC 26419 / Epic 26419First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Epic 26419 / Epic EPC 26419First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | CBS BL 42052 / FM FM 42052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4474First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Mexico | Oro Masterworks MDO-463585LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV394LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV394LPLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
10 vinyl pressings of The Great Balloon Race are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1985 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Greece and more. One of them is Epic EPC 26419.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 26419, 26419, BL 42052, ELPS 4474) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC 26419 A//1▽420 T 1 1 4 POUNDA TA1PE and EPC 26419 A//1▽420 T 1 1 2. 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.
