Vinyl pressings
by Gary Wright · 1977
Phantom Writer was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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.
WBS 8331 UCA 6292-S MR △101701-X TML-SRunout side A
WBS-8331- UCA-6291-S TML-M MR(circled) △101701Runout side B
(UCA 6292)SLabel side A
(UCA 6291)SLabel side B
WBS 8331 UCA 6292-S-P2 TML-SRunout side A
WBS 8331 UCA 6291-S-P2 TML-SRunout side B
(UCA 6292)SLabel side A
(UCA 6291)SLabel side B
WBS 8331 UCA 6292-S WW1 #2 · ─◁ TML-MRunout side A
WBS-8331- UCA-6291-S WW1 TML-M #2 · ─◁Runout side B
(UCA 6292)SLabel side A
(UCA 6291)SLabel side B
T TML-M WBS 8331 UCA6292-S TH1Runout A
WBS 8331- UCA 6291-S TH2 TML-S TIIIIIRunout B
(UCA6292)SLabel A
(UCA6291)SLabel B
TML-M WBS 8331 UCA 6292-LW1 DJ 1 ✲A-Side Runout
TML-M WBS 8331 UCA 6292-S LW1- 1 ✲B-Side Runout
(UCA 6292)A-Side Label
(UCA 6292)SB-Side Label
TML-S WBS8331 UCA 6292-S LWRunout side A, etched [stamped "TML-S"]
WEA- 16 905 - B PFRunout side B, etched
WBS-1-8331Label side A
16 905 BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.024 / Warner Bros. Records WBS 8331First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8331First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-96WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8331First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 45-1465First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8331First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8331First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8331First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8331First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8331First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1977 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 16 905First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 83317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Phantom Writer are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Germany, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 8331.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 8331, WB 16 905, 16.024, 45-1465) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS 8331 UCA 6292-S MR △101701-X TML-S and WBS-8331- UCA-6291-S TML-M MR(circled) △101701. 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.
