Vinyl pressings
by Styx · 1973
The Serpent Is Rising was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 2 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.
BXL1-0287-A TGSide A runout variant 1
BXL1-0287-B TGSide B runout variant 1
BXL1-0287-A- TGSide A runout variant 2
BXL1-0287-B TGSide B runout variant 2
BXL1-0287-A-¹ D-T.O B.G.Side A runout, etched
BXL1-0287-B-³ X-T.O.Side B runout, etched
BWL 10287 A*5Side A Runout
BWL 10287 C B 1-2Side B Runout
BXL 1-0287 A-5 I STERLING A2A side etched, A2 stamped
BXL \ 10287 B -2 I STERLING A3B side etched, A3 stamped
BXL1-0287-AA side label
BXL1-0287-BB side label
BWL 1-0287 A-2Side A Runout (etched) Variant 1
BWL 10287 B-1Side B Runout (etched) Variant 1
BWL 1-0287 A-5Side A Runout (etched) Variant 2
BWL 10287 B-2Side B Runout (etched) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Wooden Nickel Records BXL1-0287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | RCA Victor BXL1-0287 / Wooden Nickel Records BXL1-0287LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | Canada | Wooden Nickel Records BXL1-0287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | RCA Victor AYL-1-4111 / Wooden Nickel Records BXL1-0287LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Wooden Nickel Records BXL1-0287First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Wooden Nickel Records BWL1-0287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Wooden Nickel Records BXL1-0287 / Wooden Nickel Records BWL1-0287LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Wooden Nickel Records BWL1-0287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | RCA Victor FL 13112LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | Spain | RCA Victor FL-13112 / Wooden Nickel FL-13112LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | RCA Victor AYL1-4111LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | RCA AFL1-3595LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | RCA RPL-6009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Japan | RCA RPL-6009LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1982 | Brazil | RCA 107.4041LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Wooden Nickel Records BXL1-0287 / RCA Victor BXL1-0287LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | RCA PL83112LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Taiwan | Nova RK-055LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Wooden Nickel Records BXL1-0287LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of The Serpent Is Rising are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Canada, US. One of them is Wooden Nickel Records BXL1-0287.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BXL1-0287, BWL1-0287) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BXL1-0287-A TG and BXL1-0287-B TG. 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.
