Vinyl pressings
by Glen Campbell · 1973
I Knew Jesus (Before He Was A Star) was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
SW1-11185 Z-5• 1 ✲Runout A etch / 1 ✲ stamped
SW2-11185 Z-6• 1 ✲Runout B etch / 1 ✲ stamped
SW1-11185Matrix A, on label
SW2-11185Matrix B, on label
SW1-11185 Z-4 —◁Runout A etched
SW2-11185 Z-4 #2 —◁Runout B etched
SW1-11185Matrix A, on label
SW2-11185Matrix B, on label
SW1-11185 Z-1 #1 0Runout A etched
SW2-11185 Z-1 #1 0Runout B etched
SW1-11185Matrix A, on label
SW2-11185Matrix B, on label
E SW1 11185-1 GM 1Stamped Runout, Side A
E SW2 11185-1 GP 1Stamped Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Capitol Records SW.11185 / EMI (Australia) Limited SW.11185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Capitol Records SW-11185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C 062-81 460 / EMI Electrola 1 C 062-81 460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Capitol Records ECP-80844First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Capitol Records SW.11185 / Capitol Records SW-11185First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Capitol Records E-SW 11185 / Capitol Records OC 062 ₀ 81460First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records SW-11185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records SW 11185LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records SW-11185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records SW-611185LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records SW-11185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records SW 71185 / Capitol Records SW-11185LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Capitol Records E-SW 11185LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of I Knew Jesus (Before He Was A Star) are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records SW-11185.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SW-11185, E-SW 11185, SW.11185, 1 C 062-81 460) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SW1-11185 Z-5• 1 ✲ and SW2-11185 Z-6• 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.
