Vinyl pressings
by Bob Marley & The Wailers · 1977
Waiting In Vain was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 8 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.
WIPX 1746-1U JonzSide A runout variant 1
WIPX 1747-1U W̶I̶P̶X̶ ̶1̶7̶2̶3̶-̶1̶U̶Side B runout variant 1
WIPX 1746-1U JONZ GH 1Side A runout variant 2
WIPX 1747-1U GD 1 W̶I̶P̶X̶ ̶1̶7̶2̶3̶-̶1̶U̶Side B runout variant 2
WIPX 1722-1U JONZSide A runout
WIPX 1746-2U 2 GD 1Side A runout
WIPX 1747-2U 7 1Side B runout
WIPX 1746Side A label
WIPX 1747Side B label
IS-092-A-7 STERLING (Stamped)Side A runout
IS-092-B-7 STERLING (Stamped)Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Island Records K-6907 / Island Records WIP-6402First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Island Records IS-092First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Island Records 6172 525First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | France | Island Records 6837422First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Germany | Island Records 11 524 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26402First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Island Records K-6907First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Island RecordsFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, White Label |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records WIP 6402First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Island Records IS-092First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Island Records IS-092First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Island Records IS-092First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records WIP 6402First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records WIP 6402First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records WIP 6402First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Island Records IS-092-A7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Waiting In Vain are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records WIP 6402, released August 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP 6402, IS-092, K-6907, 6172 525) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIPX 1746-1U Jonz and WIPX 1747-1U W̶I̶P̶X̶ ̶1̶7̶2̶3̶-̶1̶U̶. 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.
