Vinyl pressings
by Ipi-Tombi · 1973
The Warrior 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.
14 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.
RTL4028-A G2Runout, side A, engraved. Var. 1
RTL4028-B G3Runout, side B, engraved. Var. 1
RTL4028-ARunout, side A, engraved. Var. 2
RTL4028 B /4Runout, side B, engraved. Var. 2
RTL 4028 A /4Runout side A
RTL 4028 B / 3Runout side B
RTL.4028-ALabel side A bracketed
RTL.4028-BLabel side B bracketed
RTL4028 A /4Runout side A
RTL4028 B /3Runout side B
RTL 4028 A /3.Variant 1 Side A runout etched
RTL 4028 B /4.Variant 1 Side B runout etched
RTL 4028 A /3.Variant 2 Side A runout etched
RTL 4028 B /3.Variant 2 Side B runout etched
RTL 4028 A /3.Variant 1 Side A runout etched
RTL 4028 B /4.Variant 1 Side B runout etched
RTL 4028 A /3.Variant 2 Side A runout etched
RTL 4028 B /3.Variant 2 Side B runout etched
RTL 4028 A /4Runout side A
RTL 4028 B /4Runout side B
RTL.4028ALabel side A
RTL.4028BLabel 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 | France | Barclay 90 026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Barclay 90 026LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Ivory Coast | R & T RTL-4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Kenya | R & T RTL 4028 / World Record Co. RTL-4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Rhodesia | R & T RTL 4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | R & T RTL 4028 / R & T RTL.4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | R & T RTL 4028 / R & T RTL.4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | R & T RTL 4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | R & T RTL 4028 / R & T RTL.4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | R & T RTL 4028 / R & T RTL.4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | R & T RTL 4028 / R & T RTL.4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Stax STS-5516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Stax STS-5516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Volt STS-5516First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Zambia | R & T RTL. 4028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Epic EPC 81315LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Africa | R & T RTL. 4028LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Ipi-Tombi Records RTL 4028LP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of The Warrior are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1973 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in South Africa, US, France, Ivory Coast and more. One of them is R & T RTL 4028.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RTL 4028, STS-5516, 90 026, RTL-4028) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RTL4028-A G2 and RTL4028-B G3. 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.
