Vinyl pressings
by The Sweet · 1973
Blockbuster ! 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.
55 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 22 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.
BG-BS-1161-1E 1Runout, A-side, stamped [Variant 1]
BG-BS-1162-1ERunout, B-side, stamped [Variant 1]
BGBS 1161 3E A 29Runout, A-side, stamped [Variant 2]
BGBS 1162 3E BRunout, B-side, stamped [Variant 2]
BGBS 1161 1EA side, machine stamped
BGBS 1162 1EB side, machine stamped
RAYSSide A, hand etched
BGBS 1161 1E RAYS ARunout side A, stamped/etched, variant 1
BGBS 1162 1E DRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
BGBS 1161 1E D RAYSRunout side A, stamped/etched, variant 2
BGBS 1162 3E A 50Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
BGBS 1161 1E RAYS.Runout, A-side
BGBS 1162 1ERunout, B-side
BGBS 1161A side label
BGBS 1162B side label
BGBS 1161 1E RAYS. DRunout, side A, stamped/etched
BGBS 1162 3E 5C ΛRunout, side B, stamped
BGBS 1161Label, side A
BGBS 1162Label, side B
BGBS 1161 1E RAYS <Runout side A, stamped/etched
BGBS 1162 1E < _. _. _.Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
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 | Angola | RCA Victor 30123First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-2244First year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1973 | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-2244First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Australia | RCA Victor 102224First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Bell Records 45361xFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | El Salvador | RCA RCA-2305First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41 067 / RCA Victor 41.067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41067 / RCA Victor 41.067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41067 / RCA Victor 41.067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41067 / RCA Victor 41.067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 235 / RCA Victor 74-16235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA 74-16235 / RCA Victor 74-16235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | RCA Victor 46 G 148First year7" | 7" |
| 1973 | Ireland | RCA Victor RCA 2305First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | RCA Victor RCA 2305First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Madagascar | RCA Victor 42-4067" | 7" |
| ? | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-4067", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
62 vinyl pressings of Blockbuster ! are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1973 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, France, Italy and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2305.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2305, 45,361, 45.361, 45-361) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BG-BS-1161-1E 1 and BG-BS-1162-1E. 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.
