Vinyl pressings
by John Paul Hammond · 1965
Country Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1965, 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.
VRS-9198 A XTV106232-1ARunout, Side A var. 1
VRS-9198B XTV106233-1CRunout, Side B var. 1
o VRS-9198 A XTV106232-1ARunout, Side A var. 2
o VRS-9198B XTV106233-1A C ARunout, Side B var. 2
VSD-79198A XSV106234-1B 1 P A 5Runout side A
VSD-79198B XSV106235-1A 1 P B 1Runout side B
VSD-79198-A XSV 106234Label side A
VSD-79198-B XSV 106234Label side B
XSV106234-1C V SD 69198 A P (stamped, faint)Side A
XSV106235-1A VSD-79198B o (small stamped circle)Side B
VSD 79198ASide A etched runout
VSD 79198BSide B etched runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Australia | Vanguard VSD-9198First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard VSD-79198LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard VSD-79198First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard VSD-79198LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard VRS-9198First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Vanguard VSD-79198First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Vanguard VSD-79198LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Vanguard VSD-79198LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | South Africa | Vanguard VAC 79198LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1976 | US | Vanguard VSD-79198LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Vanguard VSD-79198LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Vanguard VSD-79198LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Country Blues are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1965 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, Australia. One of them is Vanguard VRS-9198, released November 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VRS-9198, VSD-79198, VSD-9198) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VRS-9198 A XTV106232-1A and VRS-9198B XTV106233-1C. 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.
