Vinyl pressings
by Bobby Bare · 1968
Folsom Prison Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
WCRS - - 5482 - - 2S HSide 1 Runout
WCRS - - 5483 - - 2S HSide 2 Runout
WCRS - 5482 - - 5 SSide 1 Runout (Variant 2)
WCRS - 5483 - - 5 SSide 2 Runout (Variant 2)
WCRS-5482 ZT.Runout Side A
WCRS-5483 ZT.Runout Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | RCA Camden CAS-2290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | RCA Camden CAS-2290 / RCA Camden CAS 2290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | RCA Camden CAS-2290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | New Zealand | RCA Camden CP 306LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | RCA Camden CAS-2290LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | RCA Camden CAS-2290LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Pickwick ACL-7045LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Pickwick ACL 7045 / Pickwick ACL-7045LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Camden OCS-2290LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | RCA Camden CAS-2290LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | RCA Camden CAS-2290LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA International INTS 1236 / RCA International (Camden) INTS 1236LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA International (Camden) INTS 1236 / RCA International (Camden) 26.21207LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Camden CAS 2290 / RCA Camden WCRS-5482LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | RCA International INTS 1236 / RCA International (Camden) 26.21207 AFLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA International INTS 1236 / RCA International (Camden) INTS 1236LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Folsom Prison Blues are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1968 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is RCA Camden CAS-2290.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAS-2290) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WCRS - - 5482 - - 2S H and WCRS - - 5483 - - 2S H. 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.
