Vinyl pressings
by Zubin Mehta · 1978
Suites From Star Wars And Close Encounters Of… 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.
16 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 11 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.
LAPO-101-(3) ∆22950 A SR/2 ③A side variant 1
LAPO-102-(6) ∆22950-X A SR/2 ∙⑥B side variant 1
LAPO-101 (4) ∆22950 A12 ④ SR/2A side variant 2
LAPO-102 -(3) ∆22950-X C8 SR/2 ③B side variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Brazil | London Records 31C 064 61368First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | India | Decca SXL 6885First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Italy | Decca SXLI 6885First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Japan | London Records SLA 1160First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Japan | London Records SLA 1160First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | London Records M S 2041First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Decca sxl 6885First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Spain | Decca SXL 6885First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Decca SXL6885First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-008 / London Records MFSL 1-008LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| 1978 | US | London Records ZM 1001First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | US | London Records ZM 1001LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound LabLP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-008 / London Records MFSL 1-008LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| 1978 | US | London Records ZM 1001LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | USA & Canada | London Records 414 309-1LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Japan | London Records KIJC 9199LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | London Records ZM 1001 / London Records ZM1001LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
26 vinyl pressings of Suites From Star Wars And Close Encounters Of… are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1978 and 1997.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is London Records ZM 1001, released January 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZM 1001, SXL 6885, SXL6885, SXLA.7521) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LAPO-101-(3) ∆22950 A SR/2 ③ and LAPO-102-(6) ∆22950-X A SR/2 ∙⑥. 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.
