Vinyl pressings
by Tangerine Dream · 1976
Alpha Centauri / Atem 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.
5 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ST-OMM-56.012-A PF R 28 0654 650 S1-3 1Runout, side A
ST-OMM-56.012-B PF Z 2 28 0654 650 S2Runout, side B
1 Ⓟ 1973 0664 298 S1 OM M 556 031 A 320 TRunout, side C
0664 298 = 2 S2 OMM 556 031 B Ⓟ 1973 320 WRunout, side D
VD-2504-A3Runout A, variant 1
VD-2504-B3Runout B, variant 1
VD-2504-C3Runout C, variant 1
VD-2504-D3Runout D, variant 1
I-15 VD257 A1 EG :Side A etched
I-12 VD257 B1 EG:Side B etched
I-3 VD258 A2 EG: PN ASide C etched
I-8 VD258 B2 EG :Side D etched
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 | Australia | Virgin L 45751/2 / Virgin VD 2504LP, Album, Reissue, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Compilation |
| 1976 | Australia | Virgin L 45,751 / Virgin L 45,752First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1976 | Greece | Virgin 2676712 / Virgin VD 2504First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Greece | Virgin 2676712 / Virgin VD 2504LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Greece | Virgin 2401714 / Virgin VD 2504LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Germany | Brain BRAIN 2/1082First yearLP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin VD 2504First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Virgin VD2504First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1977 | Germany | Brain BRAIN 2/1082LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Quadraphonic, LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Quadraphonic, LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| 1977 | Germany | Virgin 28 990 XBULP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1978 | France | Virgin 2676712LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 28 990 XBU / Virgin 28 988 XULP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Virgin VMD-2222 / Virgin VMD 2222LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | France | Virgin 2676712LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 28 990 XBU / Virgin 28 988 XULP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Brain BRAIN 2/1082LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Brain BRAIN 2/1082LP, Compilation, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 28 990 XBU / Virgin 28 988 XULP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Virgin AORL 28376LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin VD 2504LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin VD 2504LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| ? | UK | Virgin VD 2504LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin VD 2504LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin VD 2504LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
24 vinyl pressings of Alpha Centauri / Atem are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Germany, UK, Australia, Greece. One of them is Brain BRAIN 2/1082, released March 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BRAIN 2/1082, VD 2504, VD2504, L 45,751) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-OMM-56.012-A PF R 28 0654 650 S1-3 1 and ST-OMM-56.012-B PF Z 2 28 0654 650 S2. 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.
