Vinyl pressings
by Chicago · 1972
Chicago V was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 20 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.
o P AL-31102-1E 1 ST̶Runout A, variant 1
P : P BL-31102-1G S A 1 4Runout B, variant 1
o P AL-31102-1E 1 ST̶̷ S F3Runout A, variant 2
o P BL-31102-1J 1 T̶̷ S S A 14Runout B, variant 2
D \ T P AL-31102-1K o c 5Side A (Variant 1) Stamped (except "D \ T", "5" etched)
o P BL-31102-1AE 1 T D 8Side B (Variant 1) (except "1 T", "8" etched)
P AL-31102-1K o PSide A (Variant 2) Stamped
K TSide A (Variant 2) Etched
PAL-31102-1F PSide A runout, variant 1
P BL-31102-1K PSide B runout, variant 1
P AL-31102-1KSide A runout, variant 2
PBL-31102-1ADSide B runout, variant 2
AC-31102-1B 2-DSide One, Etched
KCBC-31102-1A o 2-GSide Two, Etched
o P X P AL 31102-1C 0Runout, side A stamped
o T P BL 31102-1ERunout, side B stamped
AC 31102Label side A
BC 31102Label, side B
P AL 31102-1A P PTX C 12Side A (Variant 1) Stamped (except "D \ T", "5" etched)
P BL 31102-1K PX P oSide B (Variant 1) (except "1 T", "8" etched)
AC 31102A Side label
BC 31102B Side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | CBS 19.219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Australia | CBS SBP 234165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia KC 31102First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia KC 31102First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Europe | CBS S 69018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Greece | CBS CBS S 69018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | India | CBS KC 31102First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Israel | CBS 69018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | CBS S 64722First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | CBS S 64722 / CBS 64722First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPM 21First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5376First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5376First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | CBS S 69018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Netherlands | CBS S 69018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Spain | CBS S 32205LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | CBS CBS 32205LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Mexico | Embassy EMB 462935LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Friday Music FRM 31102LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| 2019 | Italy | Not On LabelLP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Italy | Columbia KC 31102LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2023 | US | Friday Music FRM-1972 / Rhino Records FRM-1972LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Worldwide | Rhino Records R1 725071 / Rhino Records 081227820947LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, 7", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, 7", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Worldwide | Rhino Records R1 725071 / Rhino Records 081227820947LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32205LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32205LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 69018LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Iran | Royal LRT 75LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Italy | CBS S 64722LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | CBS S 69018 / CBS 69018LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Singapore | CBS KC 31102LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Taiwan | First Record FL-2241LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | CBS S 69018LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31102LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31102 / Columbia KC 31102LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31102 / Columbia AL 31102LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31102 / Columbia KC 31102LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31102 / Columbia KC 31102LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
66 vinyl pressings of Chicago V are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1972 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Peru, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia KC 31102, released July 10, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 31102, S 69018, S.E. 8312, 19.219) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o P AL-31102-1E 1 ST̶ and P : P BL-31102-1G S A 1 4. 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.
