Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1984
Metropolis was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 20 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.
AL-39526-1A-2HZ: DM-10Runout side A, etched (10 stamped)
BL-39526-1A-2HZ: DM-8Runout side B, etched (8 stamped)
AL 39526Label side A
BL 39526Label side B
CBS 70252 A1Etched Side A
CBS 70252 B1Etched Side B
PAL-39526-1GSide A, runout, variant 1
PBL-39526-1BSide B, runout, variant 1
G1 PBL-39526-1D ❀Side A, runout, variant 2
PBL-39526-1F M ❀ G1Side B, runout, variant 2
o P PAL-39526-1A ❀Side A runout, etched; "o" is stamped
o P PBL-39526-1A ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀Side B runout, etched; "o" is stamped
P PAL-39526-1M ❀Side A runout, variant 2
P PBL-39526-1B ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀Side B runout, variant 2
P PAL-39526-1A ❀Side A runout variant 1
P PBL-39526-1A ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀Side B runout variant 1
P PAL-39526-1G ❀Side A runout variant 2
P PBL-39526-1B ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀Side B runout variant 2
28AP-2910A1 〄CS 1 A 4Side A
28AP-2910B1 1 A 5Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Columbia 120.570 / CBS 120.570First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 238022First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | Discos CBS 138.598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Colombia | CBS 141763First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS 70252 / CBS CBS 70252First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS 70252 / CBS CBS 70252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSCL 32 258-6 / CBS CBS 70252LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS 70252 / CBS CBS 70252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS 70252 / CBS CBS 70252First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS 70252 / CBS CBS 70252First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | CBS CBS 70252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | CBS 70252 / CBS CBS 70252First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1017First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Israel | CBS CBS 70252 / CBS 70252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | CBS CBS 70252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 460204 1LP, Album | LP, Album |
35 vinyl pressings of Metropolis are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1984 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Canada, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is Columbia JS 39526, released July 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JS 39526, 70252, 28AP 2910, KJPL-0402) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-39526-1A-2HZ: DM-10 and BL-39526-1A-2HZ: DM-8. 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.
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