Vinyl pressings
by John Paul Hammond · 1964
Big City Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 2 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.
R4RM-4502-1 A1 RSide A runout, variant 1
R4RM-4503--2 A1 RSide B runout, variant 1
R4RM-4502-1 A2 RSide A runout, variant 2
R4RM-4503-2B A1 (VRS-9153-B) RSide B runout, variant 2
VSD-79153A XSV140550-1ASide A stamped
VSD-79153B XSV140551-1ASide B stamped
R4R5 4504-1 A1Runout side A
R4R5-4505--2A A1Runout side B
R4R5-4504Label side A
R4R5-4505Label side B
TD o P VRS 9153 A 1 P
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | UK | Fontana TFL 6046First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Vanguard VRS-9153First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Vanguard VSD-79153First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Vanguard VSD-79153First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Vanguard VRS-9153First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | Vanguard VSD-79153LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | US | Culture Factory CFU-01251 / Vanguard CFU-01251LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Worldwide | Culture Factory CFU01251 / Vanguard VRS-9153LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Vanguard VSD-79153LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Vanguard VSD-79153LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Vanguard VRS59153LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Vanguard VSD-79153LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Vanguard VSD-79153LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Vanguard VSD-79153LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Vanguard VSD-79153LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Big City Blues are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1964 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK. One of them is Vanguard VRS-9153.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VRS-9153, VSD-79153, TFL 6046) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R4RM-4502-1 A1 R and R4RM-4503--2 A1 R. 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.
