Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1970
I Walk The Line was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. 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 1970, the album's first year, in 3 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.
S 1 PAL-30397-1B o A 2Side A runout, etched ["o" is stamped]
1 S PBL-30397-1B o A 2Side B runout, etched ["o" is stamped]
PAL-30397-1DSide 1 Runout Variation 1
PRL-30397-1DSide 2 Runout Variation 1
T 0 1 PAL-30397-1ASide A runout, etched
T 0 1 PBL-30397-1ASide B runout, etched
AL 30397Side A label
BL 30397Side B label
P PAL-30397-1D A4Side A runout, variant 1
P PBL-30397-1D A2Side B runout, variant 1
P o PAL-30397-1D A2Side A runout, variant 2
o P BL-30397-1F P A3Side B runout, variant 2
AL 30397Side A label
BL 30397Side B label
S 1 PAL-30397-1B o A 2Side A runout, etched ["o" is stamped]
1 S PBL-30397-1B o A 2Side B runout, etched ["o" is stamped]
AL 30397Side A label
BL 30397Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Netherlands | Columbia Masterworks S 30397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Colombia | Columbia Masterworks CLS 4214First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia Masterworks S 30397First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia Masterworks S 30397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Columbia Masterworks S 30397First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks S 30397LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | CBS S 70083LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | CBS S 70083 / CBS 70083LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 473849LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Africa | CBS BSF 9208LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | CBS 70083 / CBS S 70083LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS SBP 233900 / CBS SBP-233900LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of I Walk The Line are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Colombia, Netherlands. One of them is Columbia Masterworks S 30397, released November 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S 30397, CLS 4214) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S 1 PAL-30397-1B o A 2 and 1 S PBL-30397-1B o A 2. 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.
