Vinyl pressings
by Gianni Morandi · 1968
Chimera was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, 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.
TKAW 24103 4S - 2A-3Runout area side A, Variant 1
TKAW 24104 3S - 2C 13Runout area side B, Variant 1
TKAW 24103 1S 1D 1Runout area side A, Variant 2
TKAW 24104 3S 1A 2Runout area side B, Variant 2
TKAW 24103 2S 1C 16Runout area side A
TKAW 24104 2S 1C 6Runout area side B
TKAW 24103 1S- 2C 1Runout area side A (variant 1
TKAW 24104 4S- 2B 1Runout area side B (variant 1
TKAW 24107 1S 1ASide A, runout, stamped
TKAW 24108 1S 1ASide AA, runout, stamped
TKA W 24107Side A, label
TKA W 24108Side AA, label
TKAW 24103 3S - 1B 8Side A, runout, stamped
TKAW 24104 4S - 1B 10Side B, runout, stamped
TKAW 24103Side A, label
TKAW 24104Side B, label
TKAW 24103 4S-1A 8Runout area side A
TKAW 24104 4S-1B 7Runout area side B
TKAW 24104Label side B
TKAW 24103Label side A
TKAW 24103*Runout area side A, Variant 1
TKAW 24104*Runout area side B, Variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | RCA 31a-1272First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Australia | RCA PM45-3446First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | France | RCA Victor 49.549First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-15061First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Greece | RCA Victor 46g 50025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Italy | RCA Italiana PM45 3446First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Italy | RCA Italiana PM45 3446First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Italy | RCA Italiana JB PM45 3446First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Italy | RCA Italiana PM45 3446First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | Italy | RCA Italiana PM45 3446First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Spain | Rca Victor 3-10323First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Italy | Quei Favolosi Anni '60 / Rca Italiana PM45 34467", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Chimera are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1968 and 1998.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in Italy, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Italiana PM45 3446.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PM45 3446, JB PM45 3446, PM45-3446, 49.549) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TKAW 24103 4S - 2A-3 and TKAW 24104 3S - 2C 13. 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.
