Vinyl pressings
by Bryan Ferry · 1973
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall 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.
16 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 13 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 1274-1 ALSide A, runout, stamped, variant 1
WIPX 1275-1 AMSide B, runout, stamped, variant 1
WIPX 1274-1 AA ISide A, runout, stamped, variant 2
WIPX 1275-1 RT 2Side B, runout, stamped, variant 2
WIPX 1274-2 DJA-side Runout
WIPX 1275 1B-side Runout
WIPX 1274A-side Label
WIPX 1275B-side Label
WIPX 1274-1 AT 1A-side runout variant 1, stamped
WIPX 1275-1 RH 1B-side runout variant 1, stamped
WIPX 1274-1 RPA-side runout variant 2, stamped
WIPX 1275-1 RGB-side runout variant 2, stamped
MX43277A side
MX43278B side
6138 038 1W ARunout side A
6138.038-B PFRunout side B
6138 038 1WLabel side A
6138 038 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Island Records K-5330First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Island Records 6138 038First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Denmark | Island Records WIP 6170First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | France | Island Records 6837 180First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records 12 982 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | Island Records WIP 6170First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26170First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Island Records IK 5330First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Island Records IK 5330First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Singapore | Island Records WIP 6170First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | South Africa | Island Records TOS 946First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Spain | Island Records 12.982-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records WIP 6170First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records WIP 6170First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records WIP 6170First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Netherlands, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Island Records WIP 6170.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP 6170, 12 982 AT, K-5330, 6138 038) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIPX 1274-1 AL and WIPX 1275-1 AM. 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.
