Vinyl pressings
by Sun Ra · 1976
Cosmos was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
M6 314607 2 COB3701A YPARTX 83068 IA-side runout
YPARTX 83069 I M6 314608 2 COB3701 BB-side runout
yPartx 83.068A-side label
yPartx 83.068B-side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | France | Cobra COB 37001 / Cobra COB 37.001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Cobra B 60005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Inner City Records IC 1020LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Cobra COB 37001 / Cobra CB 37.001LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | Cobra MLP 5558LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | France | Blue Silver 8206LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | France | Spalax Music LP14763LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Inner City Records IC 1020LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV100LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2013 | UK | Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV100LPLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Inner City Records IC 1020LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Inner City Records IC 1020LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Cosmos are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1976 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in France, Germany. One of them is Cobra COB 37001.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use COB 37001, B 60005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M6 314607 2 COB3701A YPARTX 83068 I and YPARTX 83069 I M6 314608 2 COB3701 B. 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.
