Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Hodges · 1965
Joe's Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1965, the album's first year, in 5 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-shaped block stamp] V-8617 65-VG-122-RE-1 S-1 VAN GELDERA-Side Runout Etching
[s-shaped block stamp] V-8617 65-VG-123-RE-1 S-2 VAN GELDERB-Side Runout Etching
65-VG-122A-Side Label
65-VG-123B-Side Label
V6-8617 65V65-522 S-1 VAN GELDER
V6-8617 65V65-523 S-2 VAN GELDER
V-8617 65-VG-122 S-1 VAN GELDERA runout
V-8617 65-VG-123 S-1 VAN GELDERB runout
65 VG 122A label
65 VG 123B label
V6-8617 A
V6-8617 B
V 8617 A ℗1965 E5 ◊KSide A
V 8617 B ℗1965 E5 ◊KSide B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Germany | Verve Records V6-8617First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | Germany | Verve Records V-8617First yearLP | LP |
| 1965 | Germany | Verve Records V6-8617First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1965 | Italy | Verve Records VI-8617First yearLP | LP |
| 1965 | Japan | Verve Records SMV-1057First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | Verve Records VLP 9094First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Verve Records V-8617 / Verve Records V/8617First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Verve Records V6-8617First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Verve Records V-8617 / Verve Records V/8617First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Verve Records 2352 147LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Verve Records V6-8617 ALP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Joe's Blues are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, UK, Germany, Italy and more. One of them is Verve Records V-8617.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V-8617, V6-8617, VLP 9094, VI-8617) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [s-shaped block stamp] V-8617 65-VG-122-RE-1 S-1 VAN GELDER and [s-shaped block stamp] V-8617 65-VG-123-RE-1 S-2 VAN GELDER. 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.
