Vinyl pressings
by Bob Marley & The Wailers · 1979
Zimbabwe was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 3 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.
WIP 6597 A-1U 8 JONZ 1 SOUND CLINIC.Runout side A, variant 1
WIP 6597 B-1U W̶I̶P̶-6̶5̶5̶3̶-A̶1̶-U̶ JONZ 1 3 2Runout side B, variant 1
WIP 6597 A-1U C JONZ 1 SOUND CLINIC.Runout side A, variant 2
WIP 6597 B-1U W̶I̶P̶-6̶5̶5̶3̶-A̶1̶-U̶ JONZ 1 3 2Runout side B, variant 2
WIP 6597 A-1U JONZ Sound ClinicA-side Runout
WIP 6597 B-1U JONZB-side Runout
ISL 012 6010163 A POLYGRAMSide A, variant 1
ISL 012 6010163 A POLYGRAMSide B, variant 1
ꓭ ISL 012 6010163 A 380 POLYGRAM A1Side A, variant 2
β ISL 012 6010163 B 380 POLYGRAM A1Side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Brazil | Island Records 101760First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 6010 163First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6597First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records 12WIP 6597First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6597First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records 12WIP 659712", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Austria | Island Records 101 760 / Island Records 101 760-1007", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 101 760 / Island Records 101 760-1007", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Island Records A-101 465 / Island Records A-101.4657", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Island Records A-101.465 / Island Records A-101 4657", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Spain | Island Records A-101465 / Island Records A-10.4657", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Zambia | Teal PD 18327", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Zimbabwe | Island Records PD 18327", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
13 vinyl pressings of Zimbabwe are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Brazil, France. One of them is Island Records WIP 6597.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP 6597, 12WIP 6597, 101760, 6010 163) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIP 6597 A-1U 8 JONZ 1 SOUND CLINIC. and WIP 6597 B-1U W̶I̶P̶-6̶5̶5̶3̶-A̶1̶-U̶ JONZ 1 3 2. 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.
