Vinyl pressings
by Bo Diddley · 1972
Where It All Began 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.
8 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 5 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.
CH-50016-ARunout side A, variant 1
CH-50016-BRunout side B, variant 1
p CH-50016-A-R STERLING RL 2 ARunout side A, etched/stamped, variant 2
p CH-50016-B STERLINGRunout side B, etched/stamped, variant 2
CH 2 50016 AMatrix A
CH 2 50016 BMatrix B
CH-50016-A R-3 STERLING RLRunout A
CH-50016-B STERLINGRunout B
CH 2 50016 AMatrix A, on label
CH 2 50016 BMatrix B, on label
CH-50016-A [STERLING] RLA
CH-50016-B [STERLING]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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Chess 9033 - 50016First yearLP, LP, Album | LP, LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | Chess CH 50003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Chess CQ 20063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Chess CH 50016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Chess CH 50016First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Chess CH 50016First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Chess CH 50016First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Chess CH 50016First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | Importa / Som 310 1010LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Chess S-26.189 / Movieplay S-26.189LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Bellaphon BLPS 19099 / Chess BLPS 19099LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2420074LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2420074 / Chess 2420074LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Chess CH 50016LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Chess CHLS 277 / Chess CH 50016LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | France | Chess 515012LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Chess 515012LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Where It All Began are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 2010.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada, France, Netherlands and more. One of them is Chess CH 50016.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CH 50016, 9033 - 50016, CH 50003, CQ 20063) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CH-50016-A and CH-50016-B. 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.
