Vinyl pressings
by Chicago · 1977
Baby, What A Big Surprise was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 17 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.
p ZSS-163432-1D TML-SA-Side Runout Etching
p ZSS-163433-1C TML-MB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 163432A-Side Label
ZSS 163433B-Side Label
ZSS-163432-1F TML-S TIIA-Side Runout Etching
ZSS-163433-1E TML-M TIB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS-163432-1F TML-SA-Side Runout Etching Variant 2
ZSS-163433-1E TML-S TII TB-Side Runout Etching Variant 2
ZSS-163432-1A TML-M S1A-Side Runout Etching variant 1
ZSS-163433-1B SS!B-Side Runout Etching variant 1
ZSS-163432-1A TML-M S1Side A Runout etched variant 2
ZSS 163433-1G TML-M SIIISide B Runout etched variant 2
ZSS-163432-1A [TML-M] SA-Side Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS-163433-1G [TML-M] SB-Side Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS 163432A-Side Label
ZSS 163433B-Side Label
ZSS-163432-1E TML-M TA Side Runout
ZSS-163432-1F TML-SB Side Runout
ZSS 163432Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Discos CBS 22.933First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS BA 222337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia 3-10620First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 5672 / CBS 5672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 5672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 5672First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 5672 / CBS 5672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | CBS CBS 5672First year7", Stereo, 45 RPM | 7", Stereo, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | France | CBS 5672 / CBS CBS 5672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS CBS S 5672 / CBS CBS 5672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS CBS S 5672 / CBS CBS 5672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Italy | CBS JC 100First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | CBS CBS 5672 / CBS 5672First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 06SP 190First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Mexico | CBS 45-7889 / CBS 7889First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Baby, What A Big Surprise are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10620.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10620, S CBS 5672, 22.933, BA 222337) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p ZSS-163432-1D TML-S and p ZSS-163433-1C TML-M. 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.
