Vinyl pressings
by Bob Dylan · 1973
Knockin' On Heaven's Door 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.
27 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 15 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.
TI ZSS 157664 1DSide A, variant 1
TI ZSS 157665 1CSide B, variant 1
ZSS 157664 1T TIISide A, etched, variant 2
TI ZSS 157665 1FSide B, etched, variant 2
ZSS 157664 1KSide A
ZSS 157665 1JSide B
ZSS 157664 1CVariant 1: Side A runout, etched
ZSS 157665 1DVariant 1: Side B runout, etched
p ZSS 157664 1CVariant 2: Side A runout, etched
p ZSS 157665 1DVariant 2: Side B runout, etched
ZSS 157664 1A SRunout A, variant 1
ZSS-157665-1L A2 SRunout B, variant 1
ZSS 157664 1A SSSRunout A, variant 2
ZSS 157665 1B SRunout B, variant 2
ZSS 157664 1H [SRC logo] [Artisan logo]Side A runout etched
ZSS 157665 1G SP [Artisan logo]Side B runout etched
ZSS 157664Side A runout
ZSS 157665Side B runout
ZSS 157664-1J 1-1 [Artisan logo] PRSide A runout, etched
ZSS 157665-1H 1-1 [Artisan logo] PRSide B runout, etched
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 BA-222006First year7" | 7" |
| 1973 | Brazil | CBS 33818First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | CBS CBS 1762First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | CBS CBS S 1762 / CBS CBS 1762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | CBS CBS 1762First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Mexico | CBS 7184First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 1762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 1762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461476First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | South Africa | CBS SSC.1282First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Spain | CBS CBS 1762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | CBS S CBS 1762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Yugoslavia | CBS CBS 1762First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45913First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | Columbia 4-45913First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | CBS CBS 83337", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | CBS S CBS 17627", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1987 | Netherlands | CBS PRO4157", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | CBS ARI 21117", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 17627", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 4-459137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Yugoslavia | CBS CBS 17627", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
35 vinyl pressings of Knockin' On Heaven's Door are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1973 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Canada, Scandinavia and more. One of them is Columbia 4-45913, released August 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45913, S CBS 1762, CBS 1762, BA-222006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TI ZSS 157664 1D and TI ZSS 157665 1C. 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.
