Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1971
Rock Island Line was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. 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 1971, 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.
JS-6101-A (HH)Runout Side A, Variant 1
JS-6101-B SM (3)Runout Side B, Variant 1
JS-6101-A XX-1Runout Side A, Variant 2
JS-6101-B XXRunout Side B, Variant 2
JS-6101-A (DD)Runout A, etched
JS-6101-B XXRunout B, etched
PTP 2045-2-A (JS-6101)Label A
JS-6101-BLabel B
JS-6101 A-1 TR CR3176Side A runout, etched, variant 1
JS-6101 B-1 TR CR3176Side B runout, etched, variant 1
BM-584-S1Side A runout
BM-584-S2Side B runout
BM-584-S1Side A runout, etched
BM-584-S2Side B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Birchmount BM 584First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Canada | Birchmount BM 584First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Hilltop JS-6101First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Hilltop JS / 6101 / Hilltop JS-6101First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Hilltop JS-6101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Canada | Pickwick JS-6101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Pickwick JS-6101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Hilltop JS-6101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Pickwick JS-6101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Pickwick JS-6101 / Pickwick JS / 6101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Rock Island Line are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1971 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada. One of them is Hilltop JS-6101.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JS-6101, JS / 6101, BM 584) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JS-6101-A (HH) and JS-6101-B SM (3). 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.
