Vinyl pressings
by Herbie Hancock · 1971
Mwandishi was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 6 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.
WS-1898 39818-A 1A S.G.A2 S 1Side A runout, variant 1
WS-1898 39819-B 1A S.G. A1 1 SSide B runout, variant 1
WS 1898 39818-1 BCSide A runout, variant 2
WS 1898 39818-1 CCSide B runout, variant 2
WS 1898 39818-1 Ge A6 PSide A runout
WS 1898 39818-1 P Ge C5Side B runout
S39818Side A label
S39819Side B label
TI WS-1898 39819-1-2 GeSide A Runout Etching(variation 1)
WS-1898 39819-1 GeSide B Runout Etching (variation 1)
(S39818)Side A Label
(S39819)Side B Label
S I WS-1898 39818-A 1A S.G. A1Side A runout
S I WS-1898 39819-B 1A S.G. A1Side B runout
S39818Side A Label
S39819Side B Label
39818 AcR TGSide A runout [etched]
39819 AcR TGSide B runout [etched]
(S39818)Side A label
(S39819)Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 46 077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 46 077First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-8044WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-8044WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 1898 / Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WBS 1898First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS-1898 / Warner Bros. Records ST-93723LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1898 / Warner Bros. Records WS-1898First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898 / Warner Bros. Records WS-1898First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898 / Warner Bros. Records 1898LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 9362 47541-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2001 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 9362 47541 1 / Warner Jazz 9362 47541 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2001 | Europe | Not On LabelLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2004 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898 / Warner Bros. Records WS-1898LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2188 / Warner Records MOVLP2188LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2188 / Warner Bros. Records MOVLP2188LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | US | Antarctica Starts Here ASH302LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Argentina | Warner Records 9362 47541 1 / Warner Jazz 9362 47541 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2025 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2188 / Warner Records MOVLP2188LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Warner Bros. Records K46077 / Warner Bros. Records K 46077LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1898 / Warner Bros. Records WS-1898LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of Mwandishi are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1971 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WS 1898.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WS 1898, 1898, 46 077, P-8044W) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WS-1898 39818-A 1A S.G.A2 S 1 and WS-1898 39819-B 1A S.G. A1 1 S. 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.
