Vinyl pressings
by Frankie Valli · 1972
Chameleon 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.
15 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 8 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.
B5-RS-2419 [Appears Over] MW-108-1A (P4336) TvC [T Over V With C To Right] T.M.S.A Side etched
B5-RS-2420 [Appears Over] MW-108-2A (P4337) TvC [T Over V With C To Right] T.M.S.B Side etched
MW 108-1AA Side label
MW 108-2AB Side label
MW108L - MW 108 - 1A B5-RS-2419A Side Etched
MW108L - MW 108 - 2A B5-RS-2420B Side Etched
B5RS-2419 MW-108-1A (P-4336) T.M.S TVCRunout A etched
B5RS-2420 MW-108-2A (P-4337) T.M.S TVCRunout B etched
MW 108-1AMatrix A on label
MW 108-2AMatrix B on label
E B5-RS-2419 MW-108-1A (P-4336) T.M.SA Side Etched
E B5-RS-2420 MW-108-2A (P-4337) T.M.S.B Side Etched
B5-RS-2419 [Appears Over] MW-108-1A (P4336) T.M.S.A Side etched
B5-RS-2420 [Appears Over] MW-108-2A (P4337) T.M.S.B Side etched
MW 108-1AA Side label
MW 108-2AB Side label
B5RS-2419 MW-108-1A (P-4336) T.M.S TVCSide A runout; etched
B5RS-2420 MW-108-2A (P-4337) T.M.S TVCSide B runout; etched
MW 108-1ASide A label
MW 108-2ASide 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 | Australia | Mowest MWS-6001 / Mowest MWS.6001First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Tamla Motown MW-108LFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | Germany | Rare Earth 1C 062-93 608 / MoWest 1C 062-93 608First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Rare Earth 1C 062-93 608 / MoWest 1C 062-93 608First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM ST 60030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Tamla Motown SWG-7585First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | Tamla Motown MS-9040First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Spain | Tamla Motown MS-9040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Mowest MW108LFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | US | Mowest MW108L / Mowest MW 108L DJFirst yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Mowest MW 108L / MoWest MW 108-1AFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | US | MoWest MW108L / MoWest MW 108LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Mowest MW 108L / MoWest MW 108-1AFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | US | MoWest MW108L / MoWest MW 108LFirst yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1972 | UK | Mowest MWSA 5501 / Mowest 1E 064 ◦ 93608First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Chameleon are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1972 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mowest MW108L.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MW108L, MW 108L, MWSA 5501, MWS-6001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B5-RS-2419 [Appears Over] MW-108-1A (P4336) TvC [T Over V With C To Right] T.M.S. and B5-RS-2420 [Appears Over] MW-108-2A (P4337) TvC [T Over V With C To Right] T.M.S.. 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.
