Vinyl pressings
by Frankie Miller · 1974
High Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
CHR 1052 A - 2U FRANKIE PORKY AND MELLYSide A runout
CHR 1052 B - 3U WITH FRANKIE IN MINDSide B runout
CHR.1052-ALabel side A
CHR.1052-BLabel side B
CHR 1052 A-2U 1 0 FRANKIE PORKY & MELLYRunout side A
CHR 1052 B-3U 1 0 WITH FRANKIE IN MINDRunout side B
CHR.1052-ALabel side A
CHR.1052-BLabel side B
CHR1052 A2 EG A PORKY PRIME CUT I-5Runout side A
CHR1052 B EG PECKO I-6Runout side B
S I CHR-1052 31773-1 RE1 1A A 3Runout side A
S I CHR-1052 31774-1 RE1 1B A 2Runout side B
(31,773)RE-1Label side A
(31,774)RE-1Label side B
S CHR-1052 31773-1 RE1 1C SX A 1Runout side A
1 CHR-1052 31774-1 RE1 1A SX C 1Runout side B
(31,773)RE-1Label side A
(31,774)RE-1Label side B
CHR-1052 31773-1 RE1 1A A2 /Side A runout
CHR-1052 31774-1 RE1 1B A4 S1Side B runout
(31,773)RE-1Side A label
(31,774)RE-1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Chrysalis L 35190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Chrysalis 1052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | Chrysalis 040 1052 A / Chrysalis CHR 1052First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 6307 535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 5C 062-95636First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 35190 / Chrysalis CHR.1052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Chrysalis CHR.1052 / Chrysalis CHR 1052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Chrysalis CHR.1052LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Chrysalis CHR.1052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1052First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Chrysalis CHR.1052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | USA & Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Chrysalis CHR 1052LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
22 vinyl pressings of High Life are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1974 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR.1052.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR.1052, CHR 1052, L 35190, 1052) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1052 A - 2U FRANKIE PORKY AND MELLY and CHR 1052 B - 3U WITH FRANKIE IN MIND. 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.
