Vinyl pressings
by Carole King · 1978
Welcome Home was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 18 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.
SW-1-11785 Z3 #2 PWRunout A etched
SW-2-11785 Z3 #2 PWRunout B etched
SW 1-11785Matrix A, on label
SW 2-11785Matrix B, on label
SW-1-11785-Z6• #74 1 ✲Runout A
SW-2-11785 Z5• #74 2 ✲Runout B
SW 1-11785Label A
SW 2-11785Label B
SW-1-11785 Z8 #2 0Runout A etched (0 stamped)
SW-2-11785 Z8 #1 0Runout B etched (0 stamped)
(SW 1-11785)Label side A
(SW 2-11785)Label side B
SW-1-11785 Z3 #2 PW · ─◁ (PR)PRunout side A
SW-2-11785 Z3 #2 PW · ─◁ (PR)PRunout side B
SW 1-11785Label side A
SW 2-11785Label side B
EA ST1 117 85-2Runout A stamped
EA ST2 11785-1Runout B stamped
EA ST1 11785-2Side A
EA ST2 11785-1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | Capitol Records SW-11785 / Capitol Records 18014First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Argentina | Capitol Records SW-11785First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | Avatar Records SW-11785First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | Capitol Records ST.11785 / Avatar Records SW-11785First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 85495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Avatar Records SW-11785 / Capitol Records SW-11785First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Avatar Records SW-11785First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Avatar Records SW-11785First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Avatar Records 2S 068-85495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Avatar Records 2S 068-85495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Avatar Records 1C 064-85 495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Avatar Records ECS-81070 / Capitol Records ECS-81070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Avatar Records ECS-81070 / Capitol Records ECS-81070First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | Avatar Records SLEM 812 / Capitol Records 33C 062-85495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Avatar Records 5C 062-85495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Avatar Records SW-11785 / Capitol Records SW-11785LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | Europe | Rockingale Records MOVLP1826LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Rockingale Records MOVLP3433 / Legacy MOVLP3433LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Repress · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Repress · Limited, Numbered |
36 vinyl pressings of Welcome Home are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1978 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Italy, Argentina and more. One of them is Avatar Records SW-11785.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SW-11785, EAST 11785, EA-ST 11785, 3C 064-85495) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SW-1-11785 Z3 #2 PW and SW-2-11785 Z3 #2 PW. 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.
