Vinyl pressings
by Joan Baez · 1974
The Contemporary Ballad Book was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 11 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.
V SD 49 A -1E 1TSide One Stamped exc Last 2 Characters Etched
V SD 49 B -1E 1TSide Two Stamped exc Last 2 Characters Etched
V SD 50 A -1D 1TSide Three Stamped exc Last 2 Characters Etched
V SD 50 B -1D 1TSide Four Stamped exc Last 2 Characters Etched
V SD--49A-1A PSide A stamped, exc. 1st A etched
V SD--49B-1A D PSide B stamped, exc. B etched
V SD--50A-1A PSide C stamped, exc. 1st A etched
V SD--50B-1A PSide D stamped, exc. B etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | Music Hall 60-14.126First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Vanguard VSD 49/50First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | Vanguard VSD 490 / Vanguard VSD • 490First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | France | Vanguard VSD 49/50First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Vanguard VSD 49/50First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | France | Vanguard VSD 49/50First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | France | Vanguard VSD 49/50First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Germany | Music For Pleasure 1M 176-96 152/53 / Music For Pleasure 1 M 176-96 152/53First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Israel | Vanguard VSD 49First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Vanguard VSD 49 / 50 / Vanguard VSD • 49 / 50First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Vanguard VAC 49First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Spain | Vanguard 500-99/100 S / Hispavox 500-99/100 SFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Vanguard VSD 49 / Vanguard VSD • 49First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | Vanguard VSD 49/50First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | Vanguard VSD 49/50First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | US | Vanguard VSD 49/50LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Turkey | Philly Sound LP. 5512 / Philly Sound 5512LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of The Contemporary Ballad Book are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1974 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Vanguard VSD 49/50.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VSD 49/50, VSDB 49, VSD 49, 60-14.126) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V SD 49 A -1E 1T and V SD 49 B -1E 1T. 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.
