Vinyl pressings
by Tomita · 1975
Pictures At An Exhibition was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ARL1 0838-A-2E A1JSide A runout, variant 1
ARL1 0838-B-2E A1GSide B runout, variant 1
ARL1 0838-A-4E A1A 'W'Side A runout, variant 2
ARL1 0838-B-2E A2KSide B runout, variant 2
ARL1-0838A-1 I B1Side A runout, variant 1
ARL1-0838B-1 I B1Side B runout, variant 1
ARL1-0838A-1 I A1Side A runout, variant 2
ARL1-0838B-1 I A2Side B runout, variant 2
ARL1-0838A-4 A2 (stamped)Side A variant 1 (etched)
ARL1 0838B 8 A2Side B variant 1 (stamped)
ARL1-0838A-4 7 A1 FSide A variant 2 (etched)
ARL1-0838B-7 A1CSide B variant 2 (stamped)
EKBY 30638Label side A
EKBY 30639Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | RCA Red Seal ARD1-0838First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1975 | Brazil | RCA Red Seal 105.4062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Chile | RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838First yearLP | LP |
| 1975 | Colombia | RCA Red Seal 05(5034)00189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor APL1-0838 / RCA Victor 26.21506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor APL1-0838 / RCA Victor 26.21506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Israel | RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | RCA Red Seal R4C-2056First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1975 | Japan | RCA Red Seal SRA-2972 / RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | RCA Red Seal SRA-2972First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Mexico | RCA Red Seal MRS-1061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Mexico | RCA Red Seal MRS-1061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | New Zealand | RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Spain | RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | AMIGA 8 55 880LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | AMIGA 8 55 880LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1987 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | AMIGA 8 55 880LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1988 | Australia | RCA Red Seal ARL1 6046LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | RCA PL80838 / RCA PL 80838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | AMIGA 8 55 880LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor ARL1-0838 / RCA APL1-0838LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor ARL1-0838 (26.21 506) / RCA Victor ARL1-0838-8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor APL1-0838 / RCA Victor 26.21506LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 65 220 6 / RCA Victor ARL1-0838LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor APL1-0838 / RCA Victor 26.21506LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 26.21506 AS / RCA Victor APL1-0838LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Venezuela | RCA 102-01181LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
49 vinyl pressings of Pictures At An Exhibition are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1975 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Italy, Brazil and more. One of them is RCA Red Seal ARL1-0838.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARL1-0838, RCALP3010, ARD1-0838, 105.4062) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL1 0838-A-2E A1J and ARL1 0838-B-2E A1G. 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.
