Vinyl pressings
by Jethro Tull · 1973
A Passion Play 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.
20 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 16 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.
10 AA6155009 1W 320 1 ERunout side A, variant 1
10 AA6155009 2W 320 1 ERunout side B, variant 1
10 AA6155009 1W 320 1 CRunout side A, variant 2
10 AA6155009 2W 320 1 CRunout side B, variant 2
10 AA6155009 1W 320 1 ERunout side A, variant 1
10 AA6155009 2W 320 1 ERunout side B, variant 1
10 AA6155009 1W 320 1 CRunout side A, variant 2
10 AA6155009 2W 320 1 CRunout side B, variant 2
RAA-5920S -1D 5920 TIRunout A, variant 1
RAA-5921S -1D 5921 - # TIRunout B, variant 1
RAA 5̶0̶2̶0̶ S -1D 5920 T1Runout A, variant 2
RAA 5̶0̶2̶1̶ S -1D 5921 - ̶T̶ T1Runout B, variant 2
CHS-2012RAA 5920-S >1BRunout Groove Side A
CHS-2012RAA 5920-S >1BRunout Groove Side B
RAA 5920Side A Etched
RAA-5921Side B Etched
MX170665 CHS 2012–1Side A Runout, hand-etched
MX170666 CHS 2012–2Side B Runout, hand-etched
MX170665Side A label
MX170666Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Angola | Reprise Records R21 199First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Australia | Reprise Records CHS 2012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Brazil | Reprise Records RLCS 4024First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 2012First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 2012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Chrysalis CHA 110First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Chrysalis 6155 009First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Chrysalis 6155 009First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | Reprise Records 30176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Italy | Chrysalis 010 1040First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Chrysalis P-1234RFirst year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 5C 006-94564 / Chrysalis 5C 006-94 564First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Reprise Records CHS.2012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Portugal | Chrysalis 6155 009First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | South Africa | Reprise Records R21-199First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of A Passion Play are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Germany, US, Angola, Australia and more. One of them is Chrysalis 6155 009.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6155 009, CHS 2012, R21 199, RLCS 4024) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 10 AA6155009 1W 320 1 E and 10 AA6155009 2W 320 1 E. 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.
