Vinyl pressings
by Slave · 1978
The Concept 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 9 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.
ST-CTN-784095-A AA-1 Atlantic Studios D.K. (PR)Side A
ST-CTN-784096-A AA-1 PRC Atlantic Studios D.K.Side B
ST-CTN-784095-AAA-I-II PRC (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side A [variant 2]
ST-CTN-784096-AAA-I-II PRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side B [variant 2]
ST-CTN-784095-AA MR △23571(3) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR)Side One Runout
ST-CTN-784096-AA MR △23571-X(4) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side Two Runout
ST-CTN-784095-MOSide One Label
ST-CTN-784096-MOSide Two Label
ST-CTN-754095-A (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout A variant 1
ST-CTN-784096-A ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout B variant 1
ST-CTN-784095-A ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR) PRunout A variant 2
ST-CTN-784096-A ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. PRPRunout B variant 2
(ST-CTN-784 095)On Label Side 1
(ST-CTN-784 096)On Label Side 2
ST-CTN-784095-A AA-1 Atlantic Studios D.K. (PR)Side A
ST-CTN-784096-A AA-1 PRC Atlantic Studios D.K.Side B
ST-CTN-784095-AAA-I-II PRC (PR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side A [variant 2]
ST-CTN-784096-AAA-I-II PRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side B [variant 2]
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 | Austria | Cotillion COT 50 512First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Atlantic Stereo 30.082First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Cotillion KSD 5206First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Cotillion COT 50 512 / Cotillion (SD 5206)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Atlantic P-10586AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Atlantic P-10586AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Cotillion COT 50 512First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Cotillion K50512First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Venezuela | Cotillion GM-200.2424 / Cotillion Lps. 200.2424First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Cotillion SD 5206 / Atlantic SD 5206First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Cotillion SD 5206First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Cotillion SD 5206First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Concept are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Austria, Brazil and more. One of them is Cotillion SD 5206, released July 20, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 5206, K50512, COT 50 512, Stereo 30.082) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-CTN-784095-A AA-1 Atlantic Studios D.K. (PR) and ST-CTN-784096-A AA-1 PRC Atlantic Studios D.K.. 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.
