VinylAI 
Data as of Sep 17, 2026
Journey – Evolution
1979 · US · Columbia · Vinyl LP Album
Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Sep 17, 2026
- MMint
- $66.84
- NMNear Mint
- $59.80
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $45.73
- VGVery Good
- $31.66
- G+Good Plus
- $17.59
- GGood
- $10.55
- FFair
- $7.04
- PPoor
- $3.52
46 copies listed on Discogs from $3.47.
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers · 1
- $45.73ref VA-GV7WTMedia VG+ · Very Good PlusSleeve F🇺🇸 Ships from United States
The Discogs price estimate is a separate reference; offer prices above are sellers’ own.
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- AL 35797T1 AL-35797-1E RTB JP STERLING
- Runout — side B
- BL 35797T1 BL-35797-1E RTB JP STERLING
- Pressing Plant ID
- T(Etched in runouts)
- Recorded At
- Cherokee Studios
- Lacquer Cut At
- Sterling Sound
- Pressed By
- Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute
- Manufactured By
- Columbia Records
- Manufactured By
- CBS Inc.
Specifications
Tracklist
- A1Majestic1:16
- A2Too Late2:57
- A3Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'3:52
- A4City Of The Angels3:08
- A5When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy)3:10
- A6Sweet And Simple4:12
- B1Lovin' You Is Easy3:37
- B2Just The Same Way3:18
- B3Do You Recall?3:17
- B4Daydream4:41
- B5Lady Luck3:34
- Producer
- Roy Thomas Baker
- Engineer [First]
- Geoff Workman
- Engineer [Second]
- George Tutko
- Design
- Jim Welch
- Design
- Larry Noggle
- Photography By
- Hiro Ito
About this record
The Terre Haute pressing of Evolution carries a mixed runout signature—Side A stamped except for the etched "1T", Side B etched except for stamped "STERLING"—that distinguishes it from other 1979 Columbia presses. This US first release predates the barcode era and commands a steep condition-based premium: a Mint copy reaches 66.84 USD while a VG pressing settles at 31.66 USD, a spread that reflects how heavily collectors grade this title.
What drives its value
Evolution's market value hinges almost entirely on condition grade. The price guide spans from 66.84 USD (Mint) down to 3.47 USD (the lowest asking price among 46 copies currently listed), with the critical VG+ threshold at 45.73 USD and VG at 31.66 USD.
Demand sits at 553 want against 6738 have in the community, a ratio suggesting this title is widely owned but still sought. The 1979 US pressing on Columbia (catalogue FC 35797) is the original issue; a contemporary Canadian variant exists on the same label and catalogue number, making country of origin and pressing plant verification essential.
The Terre Haute plant attribution and the distinctive runout pattern (mixed stamped and etched elements) anchor this pressing's identity and support its valuation relative to later reissues or alternate pressings.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the Columbia label, catalogue number FC 35797 or 35797, and the 1979 copyright mark (℗ © 1979 CBS Inc.). The dead-wax runout strings are the primary verification: Side A reads "AL 35797" (stamped) with "1T AL-35797-1E RTB JP STERLING" (the "1T" portion etched); Side B reads "BL 35797" (etched) with "T1 BL-35797-1E RTB JP STERLING" (the "STERLING" portion stamped).
The absence of a barcode confirms this as a first release. The center label features an oversized "Journey" logo relative to later printings.
Grade by visual inspection of the vinyl surface (looking for hairline scratches and dust), sleeve condition (seam splits, foxing, ring wear), and play-test if possible; even light surface noise can drop a Mint candidate to NM or VG+ territory. The Terre Haute pressing plant attribution appears in the runout code and pressing documentation.
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
Variant center labels from this Terre Haute pressing include, but not limited to, much larger "Journey" logos.
℗ © 1979 CBS Inc.
First release, pre-barcode
Runouts: Side A is stamped except for "1T" which is etched. Side B is etched except for "STERLING" which is stamped.
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Other pressings of this release
Different editions of the same album — pressing decides value.
Frequently asked
What is the price difference between a Mint and VG+ copy of this pressing?
A Mint copy is valued at 66.84 USD according to the price guide, while a VG+ copy is estimated at 45.73 USD. The gap reflects the sensitivity of collector demand to visible wear; even minor scratches or slight label discoloration can shift a copy down one or two grades.
How do I know if I have the Terre Haute pressing versus the Canadian variant?
Both the US (Terre Haute) and Canadian pressing carry catalogue number FC 35797. The runout code is the definitive marker: the US Terre Haute pressing shows the mixed stamped/etched pattern ("AL 35797" and "BL 35797" with the "1T" and "STERLING" elements etched or stamped as noted). Cross-reference the dead-wax inscription against the documented runout strings to confirm plant origin.
Why does this 1979 pressing have no barcode?
This is a first release, issued before barcodes became standard on vinyl packaging. The absence of a barcode is a hallmark of early 1979 Columbia pressings and adds to the historical authenticity of the original pressing, distinguishing it from later reissues that incorporate UPC codes.
What is a VG copy worth, and how does it compare to the lowest-priced listing?
The price guide values a VG copy at 31.66 USD. The lowest asking price across 46 copies currently for sale is 3.47 USD, which likely represents a heavily played or damaged copy graded at Poor or Fair. Most active sellers price between VG and VG+ territory, where the market is most liquid.
Is this pressing rare or common?
With 6738 copies in collector hands against 553 want, this pressing is common in the community. However, finding a high-grade (Mint or NM) copy is less routine, which explains the 66.84 USD peak valuation. Most available copies grade VG or lower, pushing the median transaction price well below the Mint estimate.