Vinyl pressings
by Billy Paul · 1973
War Of The Gods was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 9 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.
S \ P.I.R. AL-32409 -1G o A 5Side A runout, etched ["o" is stamped]
S \ P.I.R. BL-32409 -1H. o A 5Side B runout, etched ["o" is stamped]
MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS.Both runouts, stamped ["NS." etched]
AL 32409Side A label
o T1 P.I.R. P AL-32409 -1D MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS. A3A-Side Runout Etching
o P.I.R. T1 PBL-32409 -1E MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS. A1B-Side Runout Etching
AL 32409A-Side Label
BL 32409B-Side Label
P P.I.R. AL-32409 - 1B RE. F/W NS.Side A runout, etched ["P" is stamped] (variant 1)
P P.I.R. BL-32409 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS.Side B runout, etched ["P" is stamped] (variant 1)
P P.I.R. AL-32409 - 1A RE. F/W NS.Side A runout, etched ["P" is stamped] variant 2
P P.I.R. BL-32409 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS.Side B runout, etched ["P" is stamped] (variant 2)
P P.I.R. AL-32409 - 1B RE. F/W NS.Side A runout, etched ["P" is stamped]
P P.I.R. BL-32409 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS.Side B runout, etched ["P" is stamped]
AL 32409Side A label
BL 32409Side B label
S PIR 65861 A1Runout Side A
S PIR 65861 B1Runout Side B
∴Runout Side A, B
(KZ 32409)Label Side A,B
A MX170368 SBP234415-1Runout side A
A MX170369 SBP234415-2Runout side B
MX170368Side A label
MX170369Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | CBS SBP 234415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Europe | Philadelphia International Records PIR 65861First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Israel | Philadelphia International Records PIR65861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Israel | CBS PIR 65861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records ECPM-35-PHFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records ECPM-35-PHFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Philadelphia International Records PIR 65861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Portugal | Philadelphia International Records PIR 65861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 65861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32409First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32409First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32409First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32409First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Venezuela | CBS MOT-60.025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZQ 32409LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Venezuela | CBS CS-10500LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia KZ 32409LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Singapore | CBS/Sony KZ 32409LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Africa | Philadelphia International Records STR 20079LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records KZ 32409LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | Philadelphia International Records P-30.011LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | CBS CS-10500LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | CBS MOT-60.025LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
25 vinyl pressings of War Of The Gods are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1973 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records KZ 32409.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KZ 32409, S PIR 65861, SBP 234415, PIR 65861) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S \ P.I.R. AL-32409 -1G o A 5 and S \ P.I.R. BL-32409 -1H. o A 5. 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.
