Vinyl pressings
by Vangelis · 1976
Pulstar was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
42588A JS1 agiRunout side A, variant 1
42588B JS1 agiRunout side B, variant 1
42588A JS1 0190Runout side A, variant 2
42588B JS1 0190Runout side B, variant 2
RCA 2762 ASide A Label
RCA 2762 BSide B Label
GKAS 31494Label side A
GKAS 31495Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Belgium | RCA YBPB 0-456 / RCA Victor YBPB 0-456First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | RCA PB-10882 / RCA Victor PB-10882First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Canada | RCA PB-10882First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | RCA 42588 / RCA Victor 42588First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Portugal | RCA PB-5197 / Telectra RS-1080First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2762First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | RCA PB -10882First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | RCA JH-10882First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | Italy | RCA PB 5027 / RCA Victor PB 5027First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Spain | RCA PB 5027 / RCA Victor PB 50277", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | RCA Victor PB 50277", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Italy | RCA PB 5027 / RCA Victor PB 50277", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | RCA 101.71407", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | RCA 101.7407", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Pulstar are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1976 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in France, UK, US, Italy and more. One of them is RCA 42588.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 42588, RCA 2762, PB -10882, JH-10882) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 42588A JS1 agi and 42588B JS1 agi. 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.
