Vinyl pressings
by Howlin' Wolf · 1966
The Real Folk Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 4 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.
W4RS-2530-1 #14188-S LPS-1502 S.1. dhSide A Etched
W4RS-2531-1 #14189-S LPS-1502 S.2. dhSide B Etched
W4RS-2530 #14188-SSide A Label
W4RS-2530=1 #14189-SSide B Label
#14188 XCTV-121922Label A-side
#14189 XCTV-121923Label B-side
LP-1502 S1 14188Runout A
LP 1502 S2 ̶8̶5̶2̶ 14189Runout B
14188Label A
14189Label B
W4RS-2530-1A. #14188-5 LPS-1502. S-1. dhSide A Etched etched
W4RS-2531-1A. #14189-S LPS-1502. S-2. dhSide B Etched etched
14188-SSide A Label
14189-SSide B Label
CRL 4508 A1 △T KT ASide A "KT A" is etched.
CRL 4508 B1 △T KT BSide B "KT B" is etched.
CRL 4508-ASide A Label
CRL 4508-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Australia | Chess CHL 232First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | Chess LP-1502First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Chess International PAR 212LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Chess CRL 4508First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Chess LPS-1502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Chess LP-1502First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Chess LP-1502First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | US | Chess 1502 / Chess LP 1502First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Chess LPS-1502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Netherlands | Chess International PAR 212LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Netherlands | Chess International PAR 212LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Chess PAR 212LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | France | Chess 515011Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | US | Chess CH-9273LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1987 | US | Chess CH-9273LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Chess CH-9273 / MCA Records CH-9273LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Dolchess DOL1502LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | Europe | Dolchess DOL1502HLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | Europe | Dolchess DOL1502HPLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Worldwide | Chess 1502 / Chess LP 1502LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Chess 515011Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
| ? | France | Chess 515011Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of The Real Folk Blues are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1966 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is Chess LPS-1502, released January 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPS-1502, LP-1502, 1502, CRL 4508) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W4RS-2530-1 #14188-S LPS-1502 S.1. dh and W4RS-2531-1 #14189-S LPS-1502 S.2. dh. 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.
