Vinyl pressings
by Free · 1970
Highway was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
ILPS 9138 A-1U GG 1Side A runout variant 1
ILPS 9138 B-1U GA 1Side B runout variant 1
ILPS 9138 A-1U GG 1Side A runout variant 2
ILPS 9138 B-1U H 1Side B runout variant 2
A&M SP4473-MI (MR) △15597 (2)Side A runout, var. 1
A&M SP4474-MI (MR) △15597-X (2)Side B runout, var. 1
A&M SP4473-MI (MR) △15597 (2)Side A runout, var. 2
A&M SP4474-MI (MR) △15597-X (1)Side B runout, var. 2
P A&M SP–4473-P4A side runout, variant 1
P A&M SP–4474-P1B side runout, variant 2
P A+M SP 4473-P2A side runout, variant 2
P A+M SP 4474-P2B side runout, variant 2
T \ A&M SP4473-T2Side A Etched
T \ A&M SP4474-T1Side B Etched
(SP-4473)Side A Label
(SP-4474)Side B Label
T \ A&M SP4473-T2Side A Etched
T \ A&M SP4474-T2Side B Etched
(SP-4473)Side A Label
(SP-4474)Side B Label
A&M SP4473-MI △15597 (2)Etched, side 1
A&M SP4474-MI △15597-X (2)Etched, side 2
MR (in a circle)Stamped, sides 1 & 2
SP-4473Label, side 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Polydor 2302 013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | Island Records 6339 028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Island Records 6339 028 / Island Records ILPS 9138First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Island Records 6339 028 / Island Records ILPS 9138First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Greece | Philips 6343 014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Greece | Philips 6343 014First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1970 | Italy | Island Records 6339 028 LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Island Records SIL - 934100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Island Records SIL - 934100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP 4287 / A&M Records SP-4287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP 4287First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP 4287 / A&M Records SP-4287First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP 4287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP 4287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP 4287 / A&M Records SP-4287First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9138LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9138 / Island Records ILPS-9138LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records ILS-50108LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9130LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Island Records 20SI-228LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Japan | Island Records 20SI-228LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Island Records 473 182-0LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Island Records SIL-934100 / Island Records ILPS9138LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Island Records L-34,100LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9138LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9138LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9138LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9138LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9138LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9138LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 4287LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 4287LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 4287LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP4287LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 4287 / A&M Records SP-4287LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
49 vinyl pressings of Highway are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1970 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9138, released December 11, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9138, SP 4287, 2302 013, 6339 028) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9138 A-1U GG 1 and ILPS 9138 B-1U GA 1. 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.
