Vinyl pressings
by Chicago · 1977
Chicago XI 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.
31 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 22 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.
AL 34860Side A matrix
BL 34860Side B matrix
PAL-34860-1F TML-S PRunout, side A, etched, TML-S P stamped, variant 1
PBL-34860-1AA TML-M PRunout, side B, etched, TML-M P stamped, variant 1
o T1 PAL-34860-1F TML-SA Side runout, var. 1
o T1 PBL-34860-1H TML-SB Side runout, var. 1
o T1 PAL-34860-1J TML-MA Side runout, var. 2
o T1 PBL-34860 1AG TML-S T̶1̶B Side runout, var. 2
PAL-34860-1C A2 1S TML-MRunout side A (Var. 1)
PBL-34860-1A B2 1S TML-MRunout side B (Var. 1)
PAL 34860 1A 1S TML-MRunout side A (Var. 2)
PBL 34860 1A 1S TML-MRunout side B (Var. 2)
T1 PAL-34860-1J TML-M A4Side A runout
1S PBL-34860-1C 0 TML-M SX D1Side B runout
AL 34860A Side Label
BL 34860B Side Label
PAL-34860-1FRun-out area A-side [etched]
PBL-34860-1AARun-out area B-side [etched]
TML-SRun-out area A-side [machine-stamp]
TML-MRun-out area B-side [machine-stamp]
CBS S-86031-A -1 TYSide A runout variant 1
CBS S-86031-B -1 TY ASide B runout variant 1
CBS-S-86031-A-1 TY 17 BSide A runout variant 2
CBS-S-86031-B-1 TY 10 ASide B runout variant 2
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 | CBS 135.005 / Discos CBS 135.005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 237022First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | CBS 230013 / Discos CBS 230013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 86031 / CBS 86031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 86031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 86031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 86031 / CBS 86031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Greece | CBS CBS 86031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Israel | CBS CBS 86031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 777First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 777LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 777First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 86031First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237022First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Peru | CBS Columbia S.E. 8417 / CBS Columbia SE-8417First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Spain | CBS CBS 463085 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Friday Music FRM-34860LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 463085 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 86031LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 34860LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 34860 / Columbia PC 34860LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 34860LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Yugoslavia | CBS 86031 / CBS CBS 86031LP, Album | LP, Album |
42 vinyl pressings of Chicago XI are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1977 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Chile and more. One of them is Columbia JC 34860, released September 12, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 34860, CBS 86031, 16025, 135.005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 34860 and BL 34860. 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.
