Vinyl pressings
by Jimi Hendrix · 1972
War Heroes was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 17 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.
2302020 A//1▽420 1 1 14Side A runout, variant 1
2302080 B//1▽420 1 1 13 90Side B runout, variant 1
2302020 A//1▽420 1 1 8Side A runout, variant 2
2302080 B//1▽420 1 1 10Side B runout, variant 2
MS 2103 S 31472-A-1A STERLINGVariant 1: Runout side A
S2 MS-2103 31473-B-1 B STERLINGVariant 1: Runout side B
S2 MS 2103 31472-A-1B STERLING RL A2Variant 2: Runout side A
S1 MS 2103 31473-B-1A STERLING 3Variant 2: Runout side B
MS 2103 31472-1 STERLING RL PSide 1 runout
MS 2103 31473-1 STERLING RL o PSide 2 runout
31,472Side 1 label
31,473Side 2 label
MS 2103 T1 31472-1-Runout side A, variant 1
MS-2103 T1 31473-1-1IRunout side B, variant 1
MS-2103 T1 31472-1-1I STERLING ARunout side A, variant 2
MS-2103 T1 31473-1-1D RLRunout side B, variant 2
MS 2103 31472-1 STERLING RLRunout area side A
MS 2103 31473-1 STERLING RLRunout area side B
31,472Label side A
31,473Label side B
MS-2103 T1 31472-1-1I STERLING ARunout side A
MS-2103 T1 31473-1-1I STERLING RL BRunout side B
31,472Label side A
31,473Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Polydor 2310 208First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Austria | Polydor 2310 208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Brazil | Polydor 2310 208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Colombia | Polydor 2310 208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | Barclay 80467 / Barclay 80467 UFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Barclay 80467 / Barclay 80.467First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Barclay 80467LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2459 389First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2459 389First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2310 208First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Mexico | Polydor 16087 / Polydor 2302 020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Polydor 2459 389First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Polydor 2310 208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Polydor 2310 208LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | Polydor 2459 389LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2459 389LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 24 75 673LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPA 7008LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2485 229LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor SPELP 4LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor SPELP 4LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor SPELP 4LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK & Europe | Polydor 847 262-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Polydor 2310 208LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Polydor 2459 389LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2302 020 / Polydor 2302-020LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2310 208LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Guatemala | Polydor 2310 208LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Polydor 2310 208LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Polydor 2459 389LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Polydor 2310 208 LLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Polydor MP 2287LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Lebanon | Polydor 2310 208LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
59 vinyl pressings of War Heroes are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1972 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Italy, France and more. One of them is Polydor 2302 020, released October 1, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2302 020, MS 2103, 2310 208 L, 80467) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2302020 A//1▽420 1 1 14 and 2302080 B//1▽420 1 1 13 90. 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.
