Vinyl pressings
by Crosby, Stills & Nash · 1983
War Games was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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.
ST-A-44775 F-1 SRC Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout, etched, exc. [SRC MASTERED BY CAPITOL]
ST-A-44777 F-1 SRC Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout, etched, exc. [SRC MASTERED BY CAPITOL]
ST-A-44775-SPSide A label
ST-A-44777-SPSide B label
ST-A-44775 F·1 1-1 SRC MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRun-out A, etched (SRC ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ stamps)
ST-A-44775 F·2 SRC MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally 1-1Run-out B, etched (SRC ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ stamps)
A 9818 A-1U-1-1-1Runout side A
A 9818 B-1U-1-1-1Runout side B
789818-7Label side A
789818-7Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78 98127First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | France | Atlantic 78 9818-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | France | Atlantic 78 9818-7-NFirst year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Atlantic 78-9818-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Atlantic 78 9818-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Japan | Atlantic P-1790First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Atlantic 78.9818-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Peru | Atlantic 0089812.7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | WEA 782First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Atlantic A9818TFirst year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | UK | Atlantic A 9818First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 7-89812First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | US | Atlantic 7-89812First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Atlantic 7-898127", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of War Games are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, France, Germany and more. One of them is Atlantic 7-89812, released June 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-89812, A9818T, A 9818, 78 9818-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-44775 F-1 SRC Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL and ST-A-44777 F-1 SRC Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
