Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1981
The Baron was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
ZSS167907-1FSide A runout, variant 1
ZSS-167908-1FSide B runout, variant 1
ZSS167907-1D SSSSSide A runout, variant 2
ZSS 167908-1D SSSSSide B runout, variant 2
ZSS167907-1A TA side runout
ZSS-167908-1A TIBN side runout
ZSS 167907A side label
ZSS 167908B side label
CBS-S-A-155-A1Runout (Etched) Side A
CBS-S-A-155-B1Runout (Etched) Side B
MX194656Side A
MX194657Side B
CBS-S-A-1155-A1Side A Label
CBS-S-A-1155-B1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia 11-60516First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBSA 1155 / CBS A-1155First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS BA 222828First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS SSC 5185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | CBS BA 222828First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS A1155First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-60516First year7", Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS A1155First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS A1155First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-60516First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-60516First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS BA 2228287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | CBS BA 2228287", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of The Baron are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Columbia 11-60516, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 11-60516, CBS A1155, BA 222828, CBSA 1155) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS167907-1F and ZSS-167908-1F. 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.
