Vinyl pressings
by Lou Rawls · 1969
The Way It Was, The Way It Is was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
ST-1-215-H3 ✲Variant 1 side A runout
ST-2-215-H3 2 ✲Variant 1 side B runout
ST-1-215-H3 2 ✲Variant 2 side A runout
ST-2-215-H3 1 ✲Variant 2 side B runout
ST1 215 X2 ORunout, side A, var. 1
ST2 215 X2 #3 ORunout, side B, var. 1
ST 1 215 W1 0Runout, side A, var. 2
ST 2 215 W1 0Runout, side B, var. 2
ST-1-215-B2 #2A Side Etched
ST-2-215-A1 #3B Side Etched
ST 1-215A Side Label
ST 2-215B Side Label
ST 1-215A Side Label
ST 2-215B Side Label
ST-1-215-B2A Side Etched
ST-2-215-A1B Side Etched
ST . 215A Side Label
ST . 215B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-215First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C 062-80 119First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST 215First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST8-0215LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-215First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-215First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-215First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | UK | Capitol Records E-ST 215 / Capitol Records 1E 062 ◦ 80250LP | LP |
| 1979 | Canada | Pickwick SPC-3679LP, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1979 | US | Pickwick SPC-3679LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | US | Allegiance AV-5016LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Capitol Records CP-8802LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
12 vinyl pressings of The Way It Was, The Way It Is are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1969 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-215, released May 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-215, 1 C 062-80 119, ST 215) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-215-H3 ✲ and ST-2-215-H3 2 ✲. 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.
