Vinyl pressings
by Frankie Valli · 1978
...Is The Word 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.
20 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 16 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.
BSK 1-3233 LW2 TML-S #2 ✲ I GOLRunout A etch; TML-S, ✲ stamp
BSK 2-3233 LW2 TML-S #2 ✲ I GOLRunout B etch; TML-S, ✲ stamp
S-1 K 56549 A EG ALLENRunout side A
S-3 K 56549 B EG ALLENRunout side B
K 56549 ALabel side A
K 56549 BLabel side B
MX186195Side 1 label
MX186196Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3233 / Curb Records BSK 3233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Austria | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 549First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Belgium | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 549First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 36.088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3233 / Curb Records BSK 3233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3233 / Curb Records BSK 3233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3233 / Curb Records BSK 3233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Colombia | Warner Bros. Records 23(1031)00054LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 549 / Warner Bros. Records BSK 3233First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10579WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10579WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Mexico | Gamma GWEA-5313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56.549First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56.549First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Turkey | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3233 / Warner Bros. Records 1045LP, Album | LP, Album |
27 vinyl pressings of ...Is The Word are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3233.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3233, K 56549, WB 56 549, 36.088) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK 1-3233 LW2 TML-S #2 ✲ I GOL and BSK 2-3233 LW2 TML-S #2 ✲ I GOL. 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.
