Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Mathis · 1959
Open Fire, Two Guitars was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. 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 1959, 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.
XSM44806-1BJStamped matrix, Side 1
XSM44807-1BCStamped matrix, Side 2
XSM44806-1CAStamped matrix, Side 1, variant 2
XSM44806-1BJStamped matrix, Side 2, variant 2
XLP44804-1K (stamped) H1 (etched)Side 1 Matrix runout (variant 2)
XLP44805-1K (stamped) H1 (etched)Side 2 Matrix runout (variant 2)
x"Lp" 44804Side 1 Label runout
x"Lp" 44805Side 2 Label runout
XLP44804-1G IIIIRunout A stamped, 'IIII' etched
XLP44804-1B IIIIRunout B stamped,, 'IIII' etched
XLP44804-1K H1A side runout stamped
XLP44805-1CF H 1X11B side runout stamped
x"Lp" 44804A side label
x"Lp" 44805B side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | Columbia CS 8056First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1959 | Canada | Columbia CL 1270First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Canada | Columbia CL 1270First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Fontana TFL.5050First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Columbia CL 1270First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Columbia CL 1270First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Columbia CL 1270First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Columbia CL 1270First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Columbia CL 1270First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Columbia CS 8056First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | Columbia CS 8056First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | US | Columbia CS 8056LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Columbia CS 8056LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Columbia CS 8056LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Columbia CS 8056LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1968 | Japan | CBS YS-924-CLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | US | Harmony KH 30917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | Versailles VER 34117LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | France | Mr. Pickwick MPD 269LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Hallmark Records SHM774LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 774LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Rainbow RPG 7512LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Coronet KLP 773LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | Music For Pleasure MFP 5890 (KH 30917)LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Harmony KH 30917LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Fontana 682 041 TLLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Israel | Hallmark Records SHM 774LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Fontana 885 103 TYLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Fontana 885 103 TY / Fontana STFL 515LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Coronet KLP 773LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS BPG 62063LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 774LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS SBPG 62063LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Special Products C 11256LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Special Products P 11480LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CL 1270LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
36 vinyl pressings of Open Fire, Two Guitars are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1959 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Columbia CS 8056, released January 5, 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS 8056, CL 1270, TFL.5050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSM44806-1BJ and XSM44807-1BC. 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.
