Vinyl pressings
by Van Morrison · 1977
A Period Of Transition was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 14 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.
BS-1-2987 LW3 Sub-1 1 ✲Side A variant 1 etched, 1 ✲ stamped
BS-2-2987 LW3 1 ✲Side B variant 1 etched, 1 ✲ stamped
BS-1-2987 LW-1. 1 ✲Side A variant 2 etched, 1 ✲ stamped
BS-2-2987 LW3 1 ✲Side B variant 2 etched, 1 ✲ stamped
0 (large zero)Both sides runout stamped [variants 1, 2, 3]
BS-1-2987 JW1Side A, runout etched [variant 1]
BS-2-2987 JW1 #1Side B, runout etched [variant 1]
BS-1-2987 JW1 #1Side A, runout etched [variant 2]
BS-1-2987 WW-1 ─◁Side A, variant 1
BS-2-2987 WW-1#2 ─◁Side B, variant 1
BS-1-2987 WW-1#3 ─◁Side A, variant 2
BS-2-2987 WW-2 ─◁Side B, variant 2
K-56322-A-1 ALLENSide 1 etched, variant 1
K-56322-B-1 ALLENSide 2 etched, variant 1
K-56322-A-1 ALLENSide 1 etched, variant 2
K-56322-B-2Side 2 etched, variant 2
K-56322-A-1 ALLENSide 1 etched
K-56322-B-2Side 2 etched
A MX183631 BS2987-1Side 1 Etched In Runout
A MX183631 BS2987-2Side 2 Etched In Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 2987First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 2987First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 36. 031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Warner Bros. Records 56.322First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 322 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2987First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W56322First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10372WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10372WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 322First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BS 2987First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1977 | Rhodesia | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1333First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1333 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records HWBS 321-146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2987LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Polydor 839 165-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 839 165-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Polydor 839 165-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of A Period Of Transition are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1977 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BS 2987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BS 2987, K 56322, K56322, 36. 031) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BS-1-2987 LW3 Sub-1 1 ✲ and BS-2-2987 LW3 1 ✲. 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.
