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Battlestar Galactica (Original Soundtrack) by Various Artists, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Battlestar Galactica (Original Soundtrack)

by Various Artists · 1978

22 pressings12 countriesSoundtrackScoreDiscoElectronic

Battlestar Galactica was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of Battlestar Galactica

12 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 9 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.

US

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA-3051
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

MCA 1579 W4 II LBVersion 1 (Side A)

MCA 1580 W5 II LBVersion 1 (Side B)

MCA 1519 W3 LBVersion 2 (Side A)

MCA 1520 W3 LBVersion 2 (Side B)

Full details of this pressing

US

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA-3051
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

MCA 1579 W1 LB ⧈-G-⧈Side One (runout)

MCA 1580 W1 LB ⧈-G-⧈Side Two (runout)

MCA 1579Side One Label

MCA 1580Side Two Label

Full details of this pressing

US

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA 3051MCA Records MCA-3051
Format
LP, Stereo
Runout / matrix

MCA 1519 W3 ◈-P-◈ 1 LBRunout A, variant 1

MCA 15 20 W3 ◈-P-◈ 11 LBRunout B, variant 1

MCA 1579 W2 ◈-P-◈ 11Runout A, variant 2

MCA 1580 W3 LB ◈-P-◈ 1Runout B, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCF 2860
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

MCF 2860 A-1 NICK

MCF 2860 B-1 MASTERED AT 'ABBEY ROAD' - NICK

Full details of this pressing

Australia

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA 3051MCA Records MCA-3051
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

MCA 3051-A 20/10/T RobSide A runout etched

MCA 3051-B 20/10/T RobSide B runout etched

Full details of this pressing

Canada

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA-3051
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

MCA 1579 W1 MCA-3051-"A" LB 3Runout A, etched (Variant 1)

MCA 1580 W1 MCA-3051-"B" LB 2Runout B, etched (Variant 1)

MCA 1579 W3 MCA-3051- A LBRunout A, etched (Variant 2)

MCA 1579 W3 MCA-3051- B LB 1Runout B, etched (Variant 2)

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 22 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s19 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1978AustraliaMCA Records MCA 3051 / MCA Records MCA-3051First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978CanadaMCA Records MCA-3051First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978GermanyMCA Records 0062.118First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978ItalyDurium DAI 30 313First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978ItalyMCA Records MCA-4037 / MCA Records (MCA-3051)First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978New ZealandMCA Records MCA 3051First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978SpainMCA Records 63 28 870First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978SwedenMCA Records MCA-3051First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978UKMCA Records MCF 2860First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978USMCA Records MCA-3051First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978USMCA Records MCA-3051First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978USMCA Records MCA-3051LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressingLP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing
1978USMCA Records MCA 3051 / MCA Records MCA-3051First yearLP, StereoLP, Stereo
1979FranceMCA Records 511 009LP, AlbumLP, Album
1979JapanMCA Records VIM-7234LP, AlbumLP, Album
All 19 pressings from the 1970s
Year unknown3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaMCA Records ASTLP 2036 / Astor ASTLP 2036LP, AlbumLP, Album
?GermanyMCA Records 252 602-1LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?USMCA Records MCA-37079LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. A1Main Title : Theme From "Battlestar Galactica"1:28
  2. A2Destruction Of Peace4:01
  3. A3Fighter Launch2:49
  4. A4Adama's Theme2:54
  5. A5Exploration / Theme From "Battlestar Galactica"3:24
  6. A6The Cylon Base Ship (Imperious Leader)1:14
  7. A7Cassiopia And Starbuck1:42
  8. A8End Of The Atlantia1:42
  9. B1The Cylon Trap3:51
  10. B2Boxey's Problem - Serena's Illness2:57
  11. B3The Red Nova2:23
  12. B4Suffering1:52
  13. B5The Casino On Carillon - "It's Love, Love, Love"4:10
  14. B6Escape From The Ovion Mines2:41
  15. B7Dash To The Elevator1:13
  16. B8"Let's Go Home" - End Title1:06

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Battlestar Galactica are there?

22 vinyl pressings of Battlestar Galactica are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.

When was Battlestar Galactica first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-3051.

How do I tell if my copy of Battlestar Galactica is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-3051, MCA 3051, MCF 2860, 0062.118) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1579 W4 II LB and MCA 1580 W5 II LB. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Battlestar Galactica on vinyl worth?

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.

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