Vinyl pressings
by Styx · 1977
The Grand Illusion was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
59 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 21 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.
SP-5011-M1 Δ22399 (4) TML-M MRVariant 1, Side A
SP-5012-M1 Δ22399-X (2) TML-M MRVariant 1, Side B
SP-5011-M1 TML-M MR Δ22399 (2)Variant 2, Side A
SP-5012-M1 TML-M MR Δ22399-X (3)Variant 2, Side B
T1 SP-5011-T5 TML-MVar. 1: Runout A side
T1 SP-5012-T2 TML-SVar. 1: Runout B side
T1 SP-5011-T3 TML-MVar. 2: Runout A side
T1 SP-5012-P1 TML-MVar. 2: Runout B side
SP-5011A Side Label
SP-5012B Side Label
P SP-5011-INT ① TML-S ◁22399 PittmanA Side Etch exc "P", TML stamps
P SP-5012-INT ② TML-M ◁22399-X PittmanB Side Etch exc "P", TML stamps
SP-5011 P TML-MRunout Side A, variant 1, etched, P TML-M stamped
T1 SP-5012-T3 A D STERLINGRunout Side B, variant 1, etched, A D STERLING stamped
SP-5011 P TML-M D 4Runout Side A, variant 2, etched, P TML-M D 4 stamped
T1 SP-5012-T4 TML-SRunout Side B, variant 2, etched, TML-S stamped
T 2 SP-5011-T2Side A etched
SP-5012-IN7 (2) TML-M TH ∆22399-X CSide A etched except TML-M stamped
SP-5011Side A label
SP-5012Side B label
T1 SP-5011-T2 CRunout A side, variant 1
T1 SP-5012-T2 TML-SRunout B side, variant 1
T1 SP-5011-T2 CRunout A side, Variant 2
T1 SP-5012-T4 TML-SRunout B side, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | A&M Records 8565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Argentina | A&M Records 8565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | A&M Records L 36196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | A&M Records L 36196 / A&M Records L-36,196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | A&M Records SA&M-2209First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP 69878LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Colombia | A&M Records AM 5162First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | A&M Records HAM 4LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | South Korea | A&M Records SEL-200419LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL1-026 / A&M Records MFSL1-026LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MSFL 1-026 / A&M Records MSFL 1-026LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1980 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-026 / A&M Records MFSL 1-026LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 393 223-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | A&M Records C25Y3130LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Friday Music FRM 4637 / Universal Music Special Markets B0015515-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | A&M Records B0022045-01 / UMe B0022045-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | A&M Records B0022045-01 / UMe B0022045-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | US | A&M Records B0022045-01 / UMe B0022045-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | A&M Records L-19135 / A&M Records L 19135LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 69878LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | Not On Label (Styx) 7805LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64637LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-3223LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-3223LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-3223LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4637LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
117 vinyl pressings of The Grand Illusion are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1977 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Europe, Argentina and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4637, released July 7, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4637, AMLH 64637, 8565, L 36196) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-5011-M1 Δ22399 (4) TML-M MR and SP-5012-M1 Δ22399-X (2) TML-M MR. 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.
