Vinyl pressings
by Duncan Browne · 1972
Journey 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.
13 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 9 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.
RAK 135 A-2 R11 KT 3Runout side A, variant 1
RAK 135 B-1 AD KT 23Runout side B, variant 1
RAK 135 A-2 GG KT 1Runout side A, variant 2
RAK 135 B-1 CR KTRunout side B, variant 2
RAK 135 A-2 KTA SIDE
RAK 135 B-1 KTB SIDE
JZS7 4511-1A label
JZS 4511-3B label
ZS7-4511-3-AB sssrunout, stereo side (etched)
BE-J ZS 7-4511-1 srunout, mono side (stamped, except BE-J etched)
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 | Columbia ZS7 4511First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | RAK 2C 006-93.757First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Columbia 1 C 006-93-757First year7", Misprint | 7", Misprint |
| 1972 | Ireland | Columbia IDB.817First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Italy | Columbia 3 C006-93757 / Columbia 3C 006 93757First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Columbia 5C 006-93757 / Columbia 5C 006-93 757First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | RAK RAK 135First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | RAK ZS7 4511First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | RAK ZS7 4511First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | RAK ZS7 4511First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | UK | RAK RAK 135First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | RAK RAK 135First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Columbia DO-9998First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Odeon EOR-102717", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Journey are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is RAK RAK 135, released July 7, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 135, ZS7 4511, 2C 006-93.757, IDB.817) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RAK 135 A-2 R11 KT 3 and RAK 135 B-1 AD KT 23. 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.
