Vinyl pressings
by Sylvester · 1979
Stars was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 18 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.
1 S F 9579-A-RE -1B KENDUN-C 376 A 7 JGSSide A runout
1 S F-9579-B-R̶E̶ - 1B KENDUN-C 376 A 5 JGSSide B runout
F-9579-ASide A label
F-9579-BSide B label
F-9579-A-RE - SPI KENDUN - C 376Side A Runout, variant 1
F-9579-B SP KENDUN - C 375Side B Runout, variant 1
F-9579-A RE SP2 - \ - / KENDUN-D 376 JGS [SRC stamp]Side A Runout, variant 2
F-9579-B SP KENDUN-D 376 \ - /Side B Runout, variant 2
F-9579-A-RE - SPI KENDUN - C 376Etching Side A
F-9579-B SP KENDUN - C 375Etching Side B
FT 556 A-1Side A Runout
FT 556 B -1 BLAIRSSide B Runout
9160-9579-A T.L.C.Side A run-out area
9160-9579-B T.L.C.Side B run-out area
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Brazil | Fantasy F-9579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Fantasy 9160-9579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Fantasy 9160-9579 / Fantasy 9160-9415First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1979 | France | Fantasy F 5947 / Fantasy 5947First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Fantasy FCO 59471 / Fantasy 59471First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | France | Fantasy FCO 59471 / Fantasy 59471First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Germany | Bellaphon BBS 2570First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Fantasy BBS 2570 / Bellaphon BBS 2570First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Greece | Fantasy F-9579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Israel | Fantasy DD 35279First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Fantasy AMI 9579 / Fantasy A M I 9579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-1068 / Fantasy GX 01-1068First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Fantasy 5C 062-62615First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Fantasy L 36939First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Peru | Fantasy Y-FAN 0009579.1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Korea | SRB records SRB-P001 / Fantasy F 9579LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Fantasy F.P. 59470LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
27 vinyl pressings of Stars are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Fantasy F-9579.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-9579, FANTASY F-9579, FT556, 9160-9579) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 S F 9579-A-RE -1B KENDUN-C 376 A 7 JGS and 1 S F-9579-B-R̶E̶ - 1B KENDUN-C 376 A 5 JGS. 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.
