Vinyl pressings
by Solution · 1975
Cordon Bleu was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 7 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.
5C062- 97136 A // HM26747-1-YRunout side A, variant 1
5C062-97136B //HM 26748-1-YRunout side B, variant 1
5C062- 97136 A // HM26747-1-Y 26 1 76Runout side A, variant 2
5C062-97136B //HM 26748-1-Y 20 1 76 1Runout side B, variant 2
ROLL 1 A - 1U Arun
ROLL 1 A-1U ARUNRunout side A
ROLL 1 B-1URunout side B
ROLL 1 A - 1U ArunRunout Side 1
ROLL 1 B - 1URunout Side 2
◈-P-◈ MCA976 W-2Runout Side A
◈-P-◈ MCA977 W-2Runout Side B
MCA976Label A
MCA977Label B
MCA 976 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A
MCA 977 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B
MCA 976Label side A
MCA 977Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 84383LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS 32227 / CBS CBS 32227LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS 32227 / CBS CBS 32227LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 1C 062-97 136 / EMI Electrola 1C 062-97 136LP, Album, Misprint, Repress | LP, Album, Misprint, Repress |
| ? | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 5C 062-97136LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of Cordon Bleu are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1975 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Netherlands, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company 5C 062-97136.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5C 062-97136, ROLL 1, PIG-2189, PIG 2189) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5C062- 97136 A // HM26747-1-Y and 5C062-97136B //HM 26748-1-Y. 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.
