Vinyl pressings
by Hubert Laws · 1975
The Chicago Theme was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 9 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.
RVG 87718 A RE-1 VAN GELDER 3 SSide A runout, variant 1
RVG 87718 B-RE-2 VAN GELDERSide B runout, variant 1
RVG 87718 A RE-2 X VAN GELDER 5 SSide A runout, variant 2
RVG 87718 B-RE-2 VAN GELDER 5 SSide B runout, variant 2
RVG 87718 A RE-1 X VAN GELDERRunout side A, variant 1
RVG 87718 B RE-2 VAN GELDERRunout side B, variant 1
RVG 87718 A RE-2・VAN GELDERRunout side A, variant 2
RVG 87718 B RE-2・VAN GELDERRunout side B, variant 2
P RVG•87718•A-7 CSide A Runout, Variant 1
T1 RVG•87718•B-7 CTH VAN GELDERSide B Runout, Variant 1
p RVG.87718.A-7. CSide A Runout, Variant 2
p T1 RVG87718.B-8. CTH VAN GELDER DSide B Runout, Variant 2
CTI 6058 A - CTI 6058 BStamped, side A & B
CTI 6058 A - CTI 6058 BStamped, side A & B
RVG•87718 A •RE-2 • VAN GELDER A2Side A, etched (VAN GELDER) stamped
RVG•87718•B-RE-2 • VAN GELDER D5Side B, etched, (VAN GELDER) stamped
RVG 87718 A-11 EDPRunout side A, variant 1
RVG 87718 B-11 MASTER BY- VAN GELDER EDPRunout side B, variant 1
RVG 87718 ALabel side A
RVG 87718 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6058 S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6058 / CTI Records CTI - 6058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Europe | CTI Records CTI 6058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | CTI Records CTI 6058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | CTI Records CTI 6058 / CTI Records CTI 6058-21First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | CTI Records CTI 6058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | CTI Records GP 3016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | New Zealand | CTI Records CTI 6058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | South Korea | Yegrin 00040LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1975 | Spain | CTI Records HCTS 731-05 / Hispavox HCTS 731-05First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | CTI Records CTI 6058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | CTI Records CTI 6058 S1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | US | CTI Records CTI 6058 S1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | CTI Records CTI 6058 S1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | CTI Records CTI 8015LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | CTI Records K20P-6830LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | CTI Records CTI 8015LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | CTI Records CTI 8015LP, Album | LP, Album |
28 vinyl pressings of The Chicago Theme are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1975 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is CTI Records CTI 6058 S1, released May 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CTI 6058 S1, CTI 6058, GP 3016, HCTS 731-05) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RVG 87718 A RE-1 VAN GELDER 3 S and RVG 87718 B-RE-2 VAN GELDER. 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.
