Vinyl pressings
by Howlin' Wolf · 1969
The Howlin' Wolf Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. 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 1969, 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.
A1 SIDE-1 W4RS-6498-1B LPS-319 17472 f RA-Side Runout Etching
W4RS-6499-1B A2B LPS 319 SIDE 2 174473 f RB-Side Runout Etching
W4RS-6498 #17472A-Side Label
W4RS-6499 #17473B-Side Label
LPS-319 SIDE-1 17472 f W4RS-6498-1 ˄ ⅠSide 1, runout, etched
LPS 319 SIDE -2 17473 f Ⅰ T ˄ Ⅰ W4RS-6499-1Side 2, runout, etched
W4RS-6498 #17472Side 1, label
W4RS-6499 #17473Side 2, label
SIDE-1 LPS 319 17472 △12919A-Side Runout Etching
LPS-319 SIDE 2 17473 △12919-XB-Side Runout Etching
MRA-Side & B-Side Runouts, Stamped & Circled
17472A-Side Label
LPS 319 SIDE-1 17472 f W4RS-6498-1 A1 ISide A runout
LPS 319 SIDE-2 17473 f I A1 W4RS-6499-1Side B runout
17472Side A label (set 1)
17473Side B label (set 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Chess CHLS 259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | France | Chess 69 507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Cadet Concept LPS-319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | Cadet Concept LPS-319 / Cadet Concept CCS 319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | Chess 275017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Chess CRLS 4543LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1969 | US | Cadet Concept LPS-319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Cadet Concept LPS-319 / Cadet Concept LPS-319 DJFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Cadet Concept LPS-319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Chess CRLS.4543First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Germany | Bellaphon BLPS 19123 / Cadet Concept LPS 319LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Brazil | Importa / Som SMS 10.000LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Cadet Concept LPS-319LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | Cadet Concept LPS-319 / Cadet CC 319LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Cadet Concept GET-54038 / Universal Music Special Markets B0015131-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2011 | US | Geffen Records B0015131-01 / Get On Down GET 54038LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2011 | US | Cadet Concept GET -54038 / Cadet Concept LPS-319LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2011 | US | Get On Down GET 54038LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Cadet Concept LPS-319 / Cadet CC 319LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Get On Down GET 54038LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mispress, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mispress, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | Cadet Concept LPS-319 / Get On Down GET-54038LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
21 vinyl pressings of The Howlin' Wolf Album are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1969 and 2011.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Cadet Concept LPS-319, released January 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPS-319, CRLS.4543, 275017, CHLS 259) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A1 SIDE-1 W4RS-6498-1B LPS-319 17472 f R and W4RS-6499-1B A2B LPS 319 SIDE 2 174473 f R. 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.
