Vinyl pressings
by Chicago · 1982
Chicago 16 was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
58 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 33 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.
1-23689-A SL2 + + SLM Δ 1551 STERLING ɑ B-16740-SL2Side 1 Runout - etched / [STERLING ɑ] stamped
1-23689-B SL2 + SLM Δ 1551-x STERLING ɑ B-16741-SL2Side 2 Runout - etched / [STERLING ɑ] stamped
1-23689-A-JW4#1 STERLING OA Side Runout Etched, exc. STERLING O -Variant 1
1-23689-B-JW1#1 STERLING OB Side Runout Etched, exc. STERLING O -Variant 1
1-23689-A-JW3 #1 STERLING OA Side Runout Etched, exc. STERLING O -Variant 2
1-23689-B-JW2 #4 STERLING OB Side Runout Etched, exc. STERLING O -Variant 2
1-23689-A-WW7 1-2 • ━◁ STERLINGSide 1 Variant 1
1-23689-B-WW8 SP 1-3 STERLING • ━◁Side 2 Variant 1
1-23689-A-WW7 1-2 • ━◁ STERLINGSide 1 Variant 2
1-23689-B-WW8 1-2 STERLINGSide 2 Variant 2
1-23689-A-WW5 #7 ━◁ STERLINGSide A, etched, exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ, Variant 1
1-23689-B-WW6 #4 • ━◁ STERLINGSide B, etched, exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ, Variant 1
1-23689-A-WW5 #7 ━◁ STERLINGSide A, etched, exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ, Variant 2
1-23689-B-WW6 #6 • ━◁ STERLINGSide B, etched, exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ, Variant 2
1-23689-A-W1• 5 ✲ STERLINGRunout A
ɑ B-16741-SL2 1-23689-B-SL2＋SLM △1551-X STERLINGRunout B
1-23689-A-SR CH1Runout: Side A
1-23689-B-SR CH1Runout: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | Full Moon SLIN 3141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | Full Moon 99235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Austria | Full Moon WEA 99 235 / WEA WEA K 99 235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Full Moon 28.058 / WEA 28.058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Full Moon 92 36891First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Full Moon 92 36891First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Full Moon W1-23689 / Warner Bros. Records W1-23689LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1982 | Colombia | Full Moon 23(0131)00309First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Ecuador | WEA 91005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Full Moon K 99 235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Full Moon WEA 99 235 / WEA WEA K 99 235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Full Moon WEA K 99 235 / WEA WEA K 99 235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | WEA WEA K 99 235 / WEA K 99 235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | WEA WEA K 99 235 / Full Moon K 99 235LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Full Moon K 99 235 / WEA K 99 235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Friday Music FRM-23689LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Friday Music FRM-92368LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Warner Bros. Records 80091 / WEA 80091LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | WEA WEA K 99 235 / WEA K 99 235LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | France | Full Moon WEA K 99 235 / Full Moon WEA 99 235LP, Album | LP, Album |
73 vinyl pressings of Chicago 16 are listed here, from 36 countries, released between 1982 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Japan, Iceland and more. One of them is Full Moon 9 23689-1, released June 7, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 23689-1, WEA 99 235, K 99235, P-11219) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-23689-A SL2 + + SLM Δ 1551 STERLING ɑ B-16740-SL2 and 1-23689-B SL2 + SLM Δ 1551-x STERLING ɑ B-16741-SL2. 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.
