Vinyl pressings
by Bessie Smith · 1972
Nobody's Blues But Mine was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 7 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.
P AL-31094-1G BSide A runout, variant 1
o P AL 31095-1FSide B runout, variant 1
ᴘ P BL-31095-1H COLUMBIA NY BCSide C runout, variant 1
ᴘ ) o P BL-31094-1G COLUMBIA NY BSide D runout, variant 1
o P AL 31094-1D 1T A3Side A runout
. . 1 o P AL 31095-1A B5Side B runout
o P BL-31095-1D 1T A3Side C runout
o P BL 31094-1D 1T A3Side D runout
MX215191 B2VL114-1 RECORD ONE I'85Side A runout
MX215193 B2VL114-2 RECORD TWO I'85Side B runout
MX215194 B2VL114-3 RECORD TWO I'85Side C runout
MX215192-B B2VL114-4 RECORD ONE I'85Side D runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Avan-Guard B2VL 114First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Australia | Columbia 2BP 220114First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Brazil | CBS 225138/9First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia G 31093First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia G 31093First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Netherlands | CBS M 67232First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | South Africa | Columbia HOJ7509First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | UK | CBS 67232First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | US | Columbia G 31093 / Columbia CG 31093First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | US | Columbia G 31093First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Italy | CBS 67232LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS 67232LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS 67232LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia G 31093 / Columbia CG 31093LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
14 vinyl pressings of Nobody's Blues But Mine are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Columbia G 31093.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 31093, 67232, B2VL 114, 2BP 220114) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL-31094-1G B and o P AL 31095-1F. 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.
