Vinyl pressings
by Tyrannosaurus Rex · 1969
Unicorn was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 5 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.
XCARX 51-2Side A runout variant 1
XCARX 52-2Side B runout variant 1
XCARX 51-2 G 1Side A runout variant 2
XCARX 52-2 M 1Side B runout variant 2
YCARX 51 - 2Runout side A, stamped
YCARX 52 - 2Runout side B, stamped
YCARX.51Label side A
YCARX.52Label side B
YCARX 51 - 2Runout side A, stamped
YCARX 52 - 2Runout side B, stamped
YCARX.51Label side A
YCARX.52Label side B
YCARX 51 - 2Runout side A, stamped
YCARX 52 - 2Runout side B, stamped
XCARX 51-2Side A runout, stamped
XCARX 52-2Side B runout, stamped
YCARX 51 - 2 R 1Runout side A, stamped
YCARX 52 - 2 M 1 3Runout side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 184 231First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Scandinavia | Polydor 184.231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Regal Zonophone LRZ 1007First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1969 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Regal Zonophone LRZ 1007First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Regal Zonophone SLRZ 1007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | SMS Records SP 20-5053LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Sierra Records FEDB 5024LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Japan | Regal Zonophone UIJY-9035 / Universal Music UIJY-9035LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK & Europe | A&M Records 535 392-6 / Universal Music 535 392-6LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | A&M Records 539 045-4 / UMC 539 045-4LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTS 7LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Cube Records 2635 008LP | LP |
27 vinyl pressings of Unicorn are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1969 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Regal Zonophone LRZ 1007, released May 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LRZ 1007, SLRZ 1007, BTS 7, 184 231) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XCARX 51-2 and XCARX 52-2. 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.
A Beard Of Stars
1970 · 33 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
