Vinyl pressings
by Kenny Rogers · 1981
Through The Years 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
A-1444 S-45-21701-E-Z3 0Runout, side A, etched, except 0 stamped
A-1444 S-45-21694-Z4 #4 0Runout, side B, etched, except 0 stamped
21701-ELabel side A
21694Label side B
S-45-21701-E-Z6 #2 —◁Runout side A, variant 1
S-45-21694-Z5 #3 —◁Runout side B, variant 1
S-45-21701-E-Z6 —◁Runout side A, variant 2
S-45-21964-E-Z6 #5 —◁Runout side B, variant 2
S-45-21701-E-Z2 * (capitol 'star' logo)Runout, side A, etched, except 0 stamped
S-45-21694-Z1 3 * (capitol 'star' logo)Runout, side B, etched, except 0 stamped
21701-ELabel side A
21694Label side B
A-1444-S-45-21701-E-P-8 SP 1-1Side 1
SP A-1444-S-45-21694 -P-7 x. 1-1
S-45-21701-E-Z2- 1 ✲Runouts (Both Sides)
21701-ELabels
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 | Barbados | Liberty A-1444First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Brazil | EMI-Odeon, S.A. 31C 006 83267First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Liberty A-1444First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Liberty LIB 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Liberty A-1444First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Liberty P-A-1444First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Liberty A-1444First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Liberty A-1444First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | Liberty A-1444First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Peru | Liberty 01.13.19407", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Liberty UA-6747", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | South Africa | Liberty LBYS 437", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | American Pie 90727", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Through The Years are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Barbados, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Liberty A-1444.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A-1444, P-A-1444, 31C 006 83267, LIB 16) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-1444 S-45-21701-E-Z3 0 and A-1444 S-45-21694-Z4 #4 0. 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.
