Vinyl pressings
by Joni Mitchell · 1988
Chalk Mark In A Rain Storm was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 14 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.
GHS-2-4172-A-SR3 1-1 MASTERDISK SRCSide A runout, variant 1
GHS-2-4172-B-SR1 1-1 SRCSide B runout, variant 1
GHS-2-4172-A-SR3 1-1 MASTERDISK SRCSide A runout, variant 2
GHS-2-4172-B-SR2 1-1 SRCSide B runout, variant 2
GHS-24172-A-SH1 B-29331 - SH1 ^18469 1-2 MASTERDISKSide A runout, etched, then stamped
GHS-24172-B-SH5 B-29332 -SH5 1-1 ^18469*Side B runout, etched
GHS-2̶̷24172-A-SH1 ɑ B-29331-SH1 Δ18469 1-2 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
GHS-2̶̷24172-B-SH5 1-1 ɑ B-29332-SH5 Δ18469-xSide B runout, variant 1
GHS-2̶̷24172-A-SH1 ɑ B-29331-SH1 Δ18469 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 2
GHS-2̶̷24172-B-SH5 ɑ B-29332-SH5 1-1 Δ18469-xSide B runout, variant 2
MX 300743 △ 24172-1 S1Side A Runout
△ MX 300744 24172-1 S2Side B Runout
MX 300743 △ (MX(crossed out)) 24172-1 S1Side A Runout
△ MX 300744 24172-1 S2Side B Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Geffen Records 80729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australia | Geffen Records 24172-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australia | Geffen Records 24172-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Geffen Records 670.8019 / BMG 670.8019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Geffen Records GHS 24172LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1988 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Geffen Records GHS 24172LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Europe | Geffen Records WX 141 / Geffen Records 924 172-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Geffen Records 924172-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Geffen Records 924172-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | Israel | Geffen Records CAN 924172-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | Geffen Records CAN 924172-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Italy | Geffen Records 92 4172-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Japan | Geffen Records P-13629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Portugal | Geffen Records 1592671First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Geffen Records 924172 1 / Geffen Records 924 172 • 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Geffen Records 924172 1 / Geffen Records GEF 24172LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of Chalk Mark In A Rain Storm are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 24172.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 24172, 80729, 24172-1, 670.8019) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GHS-2-4172-A-SR3 1-1 MASTERDISK SRC and GHS-2-4172-B-SR1 1-1 SRC. 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.
