Vinyl pressings
by Jean Carn · 1979
Was That All It Was was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 3 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.
PIR- 4Z8- 3I03-3 AG F./W ΔMRunout side A, hand etched, variant 1
PIR- 4Z8- 3I03-4 AB F/WRunout side B, hand etched, variant 1
PIR- 4Z8- 3I03-3 AH F./WRunout side A, hand etched, variant 2
PIR- 4Z8- 3I03-4 AB F/WRunout side B, hand etched, variant 2
P PIR- 4Z8- 3I03-3 AG F/W ΔM BRun-out Side A
P PIR- 4Z8- 3I03-4 AB F/W ARun-out Side B
AA-AF 4Z8 3103-3Label, Side A
AA-AF 4Z8 3103-4Label, Side B
AA-XSS-167117 FW NSRun-out A-side [etched]
AB-XSS-167118 FW NSRun-out B-side [etched]
XSS 167117Label A-side
XSS 167118Label B-side
\ S PIR-4Z8- 3I03-3 AJ F/W ARunout side A
\ S PIR-4Z8- 3I03-3 AJ F/W A3Runout side B
AA-AF 4Z8 3103-3Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Dominican Republic | CBS CSD-5037First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1979 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 13-8840 / Philadelphia International Records PIR 13-8840First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Philadelphia International Records 4Z8-3103First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Philadelphia International Records AS 735First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS9 3745First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Philadelphia International Records 4Z8-3103First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Philadelphia International Records 4Z8 3103First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Philadelphia International Records 4Z8 3103First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS9 3745First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS9 3745First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Philadelphia International Records 4Z8-310312", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 88407", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 88407", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Was That All It Was are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Dominican Republic. One of them is Philadelphia International Records 4Z8-3103.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4Z8-3103, 4Z8 3103, ZS9 3745, AS 735) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PIR- 4Z8- 3I03-3 AG F./W ΔM and PIR- 4Z8- 3I03-4 AB F/W. 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.
