Vinyl pressings
by Marty Robbins · 1968
I Walk Alone was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 4 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.
XSM-137953-1A C TA side runout, variant 1
XSM-137954-1A 3 TB side runout, variant 1
XSM-137953-1A C6 o TA side runout, variant 2
XSM-137954-1A A5 T oB side runout, variant 2
XSM-137953-1A B 3 T 1Runout Side A etched {B stamped}
XSM-137954-1A Λ 3 T o 1Runout Side B etched {Λ, o stamped}
XSM 137953A side label
XSM 137954B side label
XSM-137953-1B o S A 3Side A runout
XSM-137954-1B o S A 5Side B runout
XSM 137953Side A label
XSM 137954Side B label
XSM 137953-1CA side label
XSM 137954-1CB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | Columbia CS 9725First yearLP, Stereo, Album | LP, Stereo, Album |
| 1968 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 473614First yearLP, Stereo, Album | LP, Stereo, Album |
| 1968 | UK | CBS M 63431First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | CBS 63431 / CBS S 63431First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS 9725First yearLP, Stereo, Album | LP, Stereo, Album |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS 9725First yearLP, Stereo, Album | LP, Stereo, Album |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS 9725First yearLP, Stereo, Album | LP, Stereo, Album |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS 9725First yearLP, Stereo, Album | LP, Stereo, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | CBS/Sony SONP 50066LP, Stereo, Album | LP, Stereo, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Taiwan | 中聲 CSJ-790LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia CS 9725LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of I Walk Alone are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1968 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Columbia CS 9725.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS 9725, M 63431, 63431, SBP 473614) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSM-137953-1A C T and XSM-137954-1A 3 T. 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.
