Vinyl pressings
by Chicago · 1974
Wishing You Were Here was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, the album's first year, in 6 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.
T ZSS-159568-1E TML-MEtched Side A, except TML-M stamped
T ZSS-159569-1E TML-MEtched Side A, except TML-M stamped
ZSS 159568A-Side Label
ZSS 159569B-Side Label
p ZSS-159568-1D TML-SA-Side Runout Etching
p ZSS-159569-1D TML-S AB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 159568A-Side Label
ZSS 159569B-Side Label
ZSS-157568 1A TML-M s1A-Side Runout Etching Variant 1
ZSS 157569-1A TML-M ssB-Side Runout Etching Variant 1
ZSS-159568-1B TML-S s1A-Side Runout Etching Variant 2
ZSS-159569-1B TML-S ssB-Side Runout Etching Variant 2
ZSS-159568-1A TML-MA-Side Runout Etching
ZSS-159569-1A TML-MB-Side Runout Etching
p ZSS-159567-1C TML-MRunout short version
p ZSS-159568-1D TML-SRunout long version
ZSS 159567Label short version
ZSS 159568Label long version
ZSS 159567-1F TML-S(stamped) T1Short version run-out, etched
ZSS-159568-1F TML-S(stamped) T1Long version run-out, etched
ZSS 159567Label short version
ZSS 159568Label long version
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | CBS BA222106First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Columbia 3-10049First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | CBS CBS 2818 / CBS CBS S 2818First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | CBS CBS 2818 / CBS CBS S 2818First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 2818First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Spain | Epic CBS 2880First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10049First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Columbia 3-10049First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Yugoslavia | CBS CBS-28187", Single | 7", Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Wishing You Were Here are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10049, released October 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10049, BA222106, CBS 2818, CBS 2880) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ZSS-159568-1E TML-M and T ZSS-159569-1E 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.
