Vinyl pressings
by Chris Hodge · 1972
We're On Our Way 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.
23 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 16 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.
S 45X 47831 Z3 ──◁ STERLING LHA-side, variant 1
S 45X 47832 Z3 ──◁ STERLING LHB-side, variant 1
S 45X 47831 Z3 ──◁ STERLING 2 LHA-side, variant 2
S 45X 47832- Z4 ──◁ STERLING 3 LHB-side, variant 2
S-45-X 47831 Z2 1850 STERLING 1 LH 0Runout side A variant 1
S 45-X 47832 Z1 1850 #1 STERLING 1 LH 0Runout side B variant 1
S-45-X 47831 Z2 1850 #1 STERLING 2 LH 0Runout side A variant 2
◎ S 45-X 47832 Z1 1850 #3 STERLING 2 LH 0Runout side B variant 2
S 45 X 47831 Z5 ✲ STERLING 2 LHSide A, variant 1
S 45 X 47832 Z6 ✲ STERLING 3 LHSide B, variant 1
S 45 X-47831 Z6• 1 ✲ STERLING LH 3Side A, variant 2
S 45 X 47832 Z5• 1 ✲ STERLING LH 2Side B, variant 2
S 45X 47831 Z3 -< STERLING LHRunout area A-side, etched/stamped
S 45X 47832 Z3 -< STERLING LHRunout area B-side, etched/stamped
APPLE 43 A-1U U KTSide A stamped run-out, variant 1
APPLE 43 B-1U P KTSide B stamped run-out, variant 1
APPLE 43 A-1U A KT 1Side A stamped run-out, variant 2
APPLE 43 B-1U G KT 1Side B stamped run-out, variant 2
APPLE.43ALabel A
APPLE.43BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | Apple Records 1539First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | Apple Records APPLE-9948First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Brazil | Apple Records APPLE-43First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Apple Records 1850First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Denmark | Apple Records APPLE 43First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Apple Records 2C 006-93568First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-93 568First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Apple Records APPLE.43First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Peru | Apple Records 11602First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Philippines | Apple Records APPLE-037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Spain | Apple Records 1J 006-93 568First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | UK | Apple Records APPLE 43First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | Apple Records APPLE 43First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Apple Records 1850First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Uruguay | Apple Records 30.023First year7", Single | 7", Single |
23 vinyl pressings of We're On Our Way are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Japan, Netherlands and more. One of them is Apple Records 1850, released May 29, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1850, APPLE 43, EAR-10105, 5C 006-93568) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S 45X 47831 Z3 ──◁ STERLING LH and S 45X 47832 Z3 ──◁ STERLING LH. 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.
