Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1968
Folsom Prison Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, the album's first year, in 10 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.
ZSP136855–1A TA side runout (Var. 1)
ZSP136856–1A TB side runout (Var. 1)
ZSP136855–1A TIII IA side runout (Var. 2)
ZSP136856–1A TIIIB side runout (Var. 2)
ZSP136855-1FA side label
ZSP136856-1KB side label
JZSP136855–1D PA Side Runout
p JZSP136856–1DB Side Runout
ZSP 136855A Side Label
ZSP 136856B Side Label
ZSP136855–1G sA side runout
ZSP 136856–1C ssssB side runout
ZSP 136855A side label
ZSP 136856B side label
ZSP 136855A side label
ZSP 136856B side label
JZSP136855–1D(etched) P(stamped, inverted)A side deadwax
p(stamped, inverted) JZSP136856–1D(etched)B side deadwax
JZSP-136855-3CRunout both sides
ZSP 136855Labels both sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | CBS BA - 221526First year7" | 7" |
| 1968 | France | CBS 3549First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Netherlands | CBS 3549First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461191First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1968 | Norway | CBS 3549 / CBS CBS 3549First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | South Africa | CBS SSC.939First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Spain | CBS 3549First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | UK | CBS 3549First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Columbia 4-44513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Columbia 4-44513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1968 | US | Columbia 4-44513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1968 | US | Columbia 4-44513First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Columbia 4-44513First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Columbia 4-44513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1968 | US | Columbia 4-44513First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Folsom Prison Blues are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia 4-44513, released April 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-44513, 3549, BA - 221526, BA 461191) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP136855–1A T and ZSP136856–1A T. 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.
