Vinyl pressings
by Bee Gees · 1968
Words was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 21 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.
56229 A ∇ 1 420 1 1 5A-side runout variant 1
56229 B ∇ 1 420 1 1B-side runout variant 1
56229 A ∇ 1 420 1 2A-side runout variant 2
56229 B ∇ 1 420 1 1B-side runout variant 2
56229 A 3 420 12Stamped side A
56229 B 3 420 19Stamped side B
56229 ALabel side A
56229 BLabel side B
56229 A∇1 420 1A-side runout, stamped
56229 B∇1 420 1 1 1B-side runout, stamped
56229 AA-side label
56229 BB-side label
56229 A △ 3 420 15Side A runout, stamped
56229 B △ 3 420 11Side B runout, stamped
56229 A 3 420 12Stamped side A
56229 B 3 420 19Stamped side B
56229 ALabel side A
56229 BLabel side B
56229 A ▽ 13 420Stamped side A
56229 B ▽ 3 420Stamped side B
56229 ALabel side A
56229 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Austria | Polydor 59 169First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Brazil | Polydor FC 126.002First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Brazil | Polydor FC 126.002First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, White Label, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, White Label, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | Canada | ATCO Records ATCO 6548XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | ATCO Records ATCO 6548XFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | France | Polydor 421 170 / Polydor 421.170First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | France | Polydor 421 170 / Polydor 421.170First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59 169First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59 169First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Greece | International Polydor Production NHH 247First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Greece | International Polydor Production NHH 247First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1968 | Italy | Polydor NH 59169 / Polydor N H 59 169First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Italy | Polydor N H 59 169First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Italy | Polydor NH 59169 / Polydor N H 59 169First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Japan | Polydor DP 1570First year7" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | ATCO Records ATCO 65487", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 885 871-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Polydor PRO-31637", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Turkey | Polydor 60027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | ATCO Records 45-65487", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
51 vinyl pressings of Words are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1968 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK, US, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Polydor 56229, released January 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 56229, 45-6548, 59 169, PD.9315) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 56229 A ∇ 1 420 1 1 5 and 56229 B ∇ 1 420 1 1. 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.
