Vinyl pressings
by Charlie Dore · 1979
Where To Now 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.
14 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 9 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.
2 ILPS 95599 A-2U JONZRunout side A, variant 1
1 ILPS 9559 B-1U SOUND CLINICRunout side B, variant 1
1 ILPS 9559 9̶ A-2U O JONZRunout side A, variant 2
1 ILPS 9559 B-1U A SOUND CLINICRunout side B, variant 2
ILPS-1-9559- LW1• 1 ✲ STERLINGA Side etch (1 ✲ STERLING stamped )
ILPS-2-9559-LW3• 3 ✲ STERLINGB Side etch (3 ✲ STERLING stamped )
ILPS-1-9559-JW2#3 STERLING 0Runout A etched / STERLING 0 stamped
ILPS-2-9559 JW-3 #1 0Runout B etched / 0 stamped
ILPS-1-9559-WW1 ─◁ STERLINGRunout A etched / STERLING stamped
ILPS-2-9559-WW3 ─◁ STERLINGRunout B etched / STERLING stamped
ILPS-1-9559-WW1 ─◁ [STERLING]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
ILPS-2-9559-WW3 ─◁ [STERLING]Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
ILPS-1-9559· JW2 #1 STERLING 0Runout A
ILPS-2-9559- JW2 #1 STERLING 0Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Island Records L 37176 / Island Records ILPS 9559First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9559First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 9123 055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 200 957-320 / Island Records 200 957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Island Records ILS-81367First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Island Records 200 957 / Island Records 200 957-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Island Records L 37176First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9559First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Island Records ILPS 9559First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Island Records ILPS 9559First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Island Records ILPS 9559First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Island Records ILPS 9559First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Island Records ILPS 9559First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Island Records ILPS 9559First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9559LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Germany | Virgin 209 957LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Germany | Virgin 209 957LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of Where To Now are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9559.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9559, L 37176, 9123 055, 200 957-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 ILPS 95599 A-2U JONZ and 1 ILPS 9559 B-1U SOUND CLINIC. 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.
