Vinyl pressings
by Debby Boone · 1978
California was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
WBS-8511 VNY-1446-S-WW1 —◁ [artisan logo]A-Side Runout Etching
WBS-8511 VNY-1443-S-WW1#3 —◁ [artisan logo]B-Side Runout Etching
(VNY 1446)SA-Side Label
(VNY 1443)SB-Side Label
WBS-8511 VNY4-1446-S-SP-1 [artisan logo] 51499(mirrored)A-Side Runout Etching
WBS-8511 VNY-1443-S-SP2 [artisan logo] 51491(mirrored)B-Side Runout Etching
(VNY 1446)SA-Side Label
(VNY 1443)SB-Side Label
WBS-8511 VTN-1446-S-PRCL 2-1-1 [artisan logo] PRCRunout side A, etched [stamped]
WBS-8511 VNY-1443-S-PRCL-1-1-1 [artisan logo] PRCRunout side B, etched [stamped]
(VNY 1446)SA-Side Label
(VNY 1443)SB-Side Label
(VNY 1446)SA-Side Label
(VNY 1443)SB-Side Label
WBS 8511 VNY-1446-S-JW3#1 [artisan logo] 0
WBS-8511 VNY-1443-S-JW22#1 [artisan logo] 0
WBS-8511 VNY-V̶T̶N̶-1446-S-LW1- 1 ✲ [artisan logo]A-Side Runout
WBS-8511 VNY-V̶T̶N̶-1446-DJ-LW1- 1 ✲ [artisan logo]B-Side Runout
(VNY 1446)SA-Side Label
(VNY 1446)B-Side Label
WBS-8511 VNY-1446-DJ-LW1matrix runout
WBS-8511 VNY-1446-S--LW1matrix runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8511 / Curb Records WBS 8511First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8511First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-256WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 45-1676First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8511 / Curb Records WBS 8511First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8511 / Curb Records WBS 8511First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8511 / Curb Records WBS 8511First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8511 / Curb Records WBS 8511First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8511First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8511 / Curb Records WBS 8511First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 17097First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17097First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of California are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 8511.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 8511, K 17097, WB 17097, P-256W) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-8511 VNY-1446-S-WW1 —◁ [artisan logo] and WBS-8511 VNY-1443-S-WW1#3 —◁ [artisan logo]. 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.
