Vinyl pressings
by Stephen Bishop · 1978
Bish 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.
26 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 16 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.
AA 1082 A RE1 SP TJ 1-2Side A Etched
AA 1082 B RE1 SP TJ 1-4Side B Etched
STERLING SRC [Specialty Records Corporation logo]Side A & B Stamped
AA 1082 A RE1 CT2 TJ TSide A Etched
AA-1082-A V568*Side A
AA-1082-B V569*Side B
TI AA 1082 A RE1 CT 2 V TJ D STERLINGSide A runout
TI AA 1082 B RE1 CT1 A TJ D STERLINGSide B runout
1 S AA 1082 A RE1 CS 1A A STERLING TJRunout side A etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped
1 S AA 1082 B RE1 CS2 A A STERLING TJRunout side B etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | ABC Records AA 1082First yearLP, Album, Partially Unofficial | LP, Album, Partially Unofficial |
| 1978 | Brazil | ABC Records 6.26-404-113First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-1082First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 37022First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | ABC Records 68.072First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | ABC Records 26 335 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | ABC Records ABC 501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Records YX-8148-ABFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Mexico | Musart 60467First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Netherlands | ABC Records 26335 XOT / Ariola Benelux B.V. 26335 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Philippines | ABC RecordsFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Portugal | ABC Records MP-9.040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | ABC Records ABCL 355First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | ABC Records 17.1394/7 / Mediterraneo 17.1394/7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-4047LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1846LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5252LP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Bish are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is ABC Records AA 1082.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AA 1082, ABCL 5252, 6.26-404-113, 9022-1082) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 1082 A RE1 SP TJ 1-2 and AA 1082 B RE1 SP TJ 1-4. 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.
