Vinyl pressings
by Tim Hardin · 1971
Bird On A Wire was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 8 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.
P AL 30551-1A o pSide A runout, variant 1
o P BL 30551-1A pSide B runout, variant 1
P AL 30551-1A 2 p C 3Side A runout, variant 2
o P BL 30551-1A 1 p A 4Side B runout, variant 2
S 64335 ASide A label
S 64335 BSide B label
S 64335 A1 ⋀ ∴
S 64335 B1 ⋀ ∴
S 64335 - 1Runout A side, variant 1
S 64335 - 2Runout B side, variant 1
S 64335-1 zRunout side A, variant 2
S 64335-2 zRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | CBS SBP 233978 / Columbia C 30551First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Columbia C-30551First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPC-57136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Netherlands | CBS S 64335First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 473891First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | CBS ASF 1601 / CBS ASF.1601First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | CBS S 64335 / CBS 64335First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Columbia C 30551First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 1978LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Netherlands | Music On Vinyl MOVLP 637LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Embassy EMB 31958 / CBS S 64335LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Bird On A Wire are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia C 30551.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C 30551, S 64335, SBP 233978, C-30551) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 30551-1A o p and o P BL 30551-1A p. 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.
