Vinyl pressings
by Deep Purple · 1972
Highway Star 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.
7 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 3 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.
P-1142W 1 [rounded logo] A-10Side A, runout, variant 1
P-1142W 2 [rounded logo] A-13Side B, runout, variant 1
P-1142W-1 32T9YZ12 [rounded logo] 1-A-10Side A, runout, variant 2
P-1142W-2 [rounded logo] 1-A-13Side B, runout, variant 2
(QAA5303V1)SSide A Label
(QAA5303)SSide B Label
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 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 7634First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1142WFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1142WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1142WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Thailand | Not On Label (Deep Purple) MC.9747", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records WB 7634First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records WB 7634First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records WB 7634First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-104W7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1142W7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1142W7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Thailand | 4 Track M 1167", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Thailand | Cash Box KS-1397", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Thailand | MCA Records MC-9747", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Thailand | 4 Track Stereo Records M. 1167", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Thailand | Not On Label (Deep Purple) 1160007", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Turkey | Ayçim TA-8047", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Highway Star are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1972 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Japan, US, Canada. One of them is Warner Bros. Records P-1142W.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use P-1142W, WB 7634) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P-1142W 1 [rounded logo] A-10 and P-1142W 2 [rounded logo] A-13. 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.
