Vinyl pressings
by Steve Forbert · 1978
Alive On Arrival 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.
14 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.
AS 35538 2C STERLINGVar.1 Runout A
P BS 35538 2B STERLINGVar.1 Runout B
P AL 35538 2C C 3 STERLINGVar.2 Runout A
P BL 35538 2B 5 2 STERLINGVar.2 Runout B
T1 AL35538 2D STERLINGSide A (etched except for "STERLING") (Variant 1)
T1 BL35538 2C STERLINGSide B (etched except for "STERLING") (Variant 1)
◦ T1 AL 35538 2D B12 STERLINGSide A Runout (etched/stamped) (Variant 2)
◦ T1 BL 35538 2C C3 STERLINGSide B Runout (etched/stamped) (Variant 2)
1S AL 35538 2E STERLINGSide 1 runout, etched except for STERLING stamped
1S BL 35538 2E STERLINGSide 2 runout, etched except for STERLING stamped
2S AL 35538 2F A2 STERLINGSide 1 runout, etched except for STERLING stamped
2S BL 35538 2F A STERLINGSide 2 runout, etched except for STERLING stamped
AL 35538 2CA-Side [Etched]
BL 35538 2AB-Side [Etched]
STERLINGBoth sides [Stamped]
EPC=S-83308 A2Variant 1
EPC=S-83308 B2Variant 1
EPC-S-83308-A-2Side A runout Variant 2
EPC-S-83308-B-1Side B runout 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 | Australia | Epic ELPS 3947First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | Epic ELPS 3947First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Europe | Epic EPC 83308 / Nemperor Records JZ 35538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Nemperor Records 25AP 1352First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 3947First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2334First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | UK | Epic S EPC 83308 / Epic EPC 83308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Epic EPC 83308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Epic EPC 83308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Nemperor Records JZ 35538 / Nemperor Records 35538First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Nemperor Records JZ 35538First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Nemperor Records JZ 35538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Nemperor Records JZ 35538 / Nemperor Records 35538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Epic PZ 35538 / Nemperor Records PZ 35538First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | Epic EPC 83308LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Epic EPC 32053 / Epic EPC 83308LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Epic PZ 35538 / Nemperor Records PZ 35538LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 83308LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 32053 / Epic 32053LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 32053 / Epic EPC 83308LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Epic EPC 32053 / Epic S EPC 32053LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Nemperor Records PZ 35538LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Nemperor Records PZ 35538 / Nemperor Records 35538LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Nemperor Records PZ 35538 / Nemperor Records 35538LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Alive On Arrival are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1978 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Nemperor Records JZ 35538.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JZ 35538, S EPC 83308, EPC 83308, PZ 35538) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AS 35538 2C STERLING and P BS 35538 2B STERLING. 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.
