Vinyl pressings
by Tyrannosaurus Rex · 1970
A Beard Of Stars was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 7 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.
YCARX 65-1URunout side A variant 1
YCARX 66-3URunout side B variant 1
YCARX 65-1U O 1Runout side A variant 2
YCARX 66-3U T 1Runout side B variant 2
BTS 1-8818-F1#1 0Runout Side A etched [0 Stamped]
BTS 1-8818-F1#2 0Runout Side B etched [0 Stamped]
SP 6115 6115 F2 #2 0Runout Side C, etched (the second "2" is crossed out), Variant 1
SP 6116 6115 F2 #3 0Runout Side D, etched, Variant 1
SP 6115 6115 F2 # 2Runout Side C, etched
SP 6116 6115 F2 # 2Runout Side D, etched
SP-6115 (S45-X66212)Label Side C
SP-6116 (S45-X66218)Label Side D
BTS 5043Runout side A, etched
BTS - 18 - 5035 - IERunout side A, scratched out
BTS 5044etched, side B, etched
BTS - 18 - 5036 - IERunout side B, scratched out
SPRO-6115-F3Runout Side C, etched
SPRO-6116-F3Runout Side D, etched
SP-6115 (S45-X66212)Label Side C
SP-6116 (S45-X66218)Label Side D
T 1 BTS-18- ̷5̷0̷3̷5̷ -1C 5043 A 2Side A etched [A stamped] [Var. 1]
T 1 BTS-18- ̷5̷0̷3̷6̷ -1C 5044 A 2Side B etched [A stamped] [Var. 1]
T 1 5043 BTS 18 - 1J A 1Side A etched [A Stamped] [Var. 2]
T 1 5044 BTS 18 - 1J A 1Side B etched [A Stamped] [Var. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Festival Records SFL-933,759 / Festival Records SFL-933759First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2310 027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Ariola 80 932 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2310 027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Festival Records SFL-933759First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 18 / Blue Thumb Records 7121First yearLP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single | LP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 18First yearLP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single | LP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 18First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 18First yearLP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single | LP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 18First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 18First yearLP, Album, Stereo, 7", Single | LP, Album, Stereo, 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | T. Rex SP20-5054LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | T. Rex SP20-5054LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | UK | Sierra Records FEDB 5035LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Japan | Regal Zonophone UIJY-9036 / Universal Music UIJY-9036LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | A&M Records 534 733-6 / Universal 534 733-6LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2014 | Europe | A&M Records 535 407-8 / Universal 535 407-8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
33 vinyl pressings of A Beard Of Stars are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1970 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1013, released February 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLRZ 1013, BTS 18, SFL-933,759, 2310 027) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YCARX 65-1U and YCARX 66-3U. 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.
Unicorn
1969 · 27 pressings
Prophets, Seers & Sages, The Angels Of The Ages / My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair... But Now They're Content To Wear Stars On Their Brows
1972 · 22 pressings
By The Light Of The Magical Moon
1970 · 17 pressings
My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair... But Now They're Content To Wear Stars On Their Brows
1968 · 14 pressings
Prophets, Seers & Sages The Angels Of The Ages
1968 · 14 pressings
Ride A White Swan
1972 · 14 pressings
