Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1972
A Thing Called Love 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.
14 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 9 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.
PAL-31332-2B 0 BSide A, Etched/Stamped
0 PBL-31332-1D A6Side B, Etched/Stamped
0 PAL-31332-2A T1Side A, Etched/Stamped Variant
0 PBL 31332-1A T2Side B, Etched/Stamped Variant
P AL-31332-2DSide A, Stamped
0 PBL-31332-1CSide B, Etched
T1 o PAL-31332-2ASide A runout, variant 1
T1 o PBL 31332-1ASide B runout, variant 1
T1 o PAL-31332-2A D3Side A runout, variant 2
T2 o PBL 31332-1A A13Side B runout, variant 2
1 PAL-31332-2B o A 7Side A runout, etched ["o" is stamped]
o P BL-31332-1D 1 S A 6Side B runout, stamped ["1 S A 6" is etched]
AL 31332Side A label
BL 31332Side B label
S 64898-A2Side A - variation 1
S 64898-B1Side B - variation 1
S 64898-A3Side A - variation 2
S 64898-B2Side B - variation 2
MX166271Side 1 label
MX166272Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | CBS SBP 234112 / CBS KC 31332First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | CBS SBP 234112 / CBS KC 31332First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia KC 31332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPJ 16First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPJ 16First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Netherlands | CBS S 64898First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 473980First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | South Africa | CBS ASF 1675First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | CBS S 64898 / CBS KC 31332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | CBS S 64898 / CBS 64898First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31332First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Taiwan | First Record FL-2219LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 32698 / CBS 32698LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of A Thing Called Love are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia KC 31332, released March 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 31332, S 64898, SBP 234112, SOPJ 16) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-31332-2B 0 B and 0 PBL-31332-1D A6. 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.
