Vinyl pressings
by Mickey Hart · 1972
Rolling Thunder was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, the album's first year, in 6 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.
l S BS-2635 40222-1 A2A Side Runout Etching, var 1
S1 BS-2635 40223-1 A 6B Side Runout Etching, var 1
S I 1 BS-2635A 40222-1AA Side Runout Etching, var 2
BS-2635 B 40223-1BB Side Runout Etching, var 2
BS-2635 TI 40222-2-1 A3 [Artisan logo stamp]Side A runout
TI BS-2635 402223-1-1 B8 [Artisan logo stamp]Side B runout
BS-2635 40222-1 [Artisan logo] ⋀3Side A runout, variant 1
BS-2635 P 40223-1 [Artisan logo] ⋀ A 6Side B runout, variant 1
BS-2635 P 40222-1 [Artisan logo] 2 ASide A runout, variant 2
BS-2635 P 40223-1 [Artisan logo] 2 BSide B runout, variant 2
BS-2635 A 40222-1AA Side Runout Etching
BS-2635 B 40223-1BB Side Runout Etching
Artisan Company Logo [Circles and Sticks]A + B Stamped Runout
BS-2635 A 40222-1B [Artisan logo] ˄7A Side
BS-2635 B 40223-1A [Artisan logo] ˄6B Side
BS-2635A 40222-1A [Artisan logo]Side 1, variant 1
BS-2635B 40223-1B [Artisan logo]Side 2, variant 1
BS-2635A 40222-1B [Artisan logo]Side 1, variant 2
BS-2635B 40223-1A [Artisan logo]Side 2, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 2635First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2635First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Warner Bros. Records 46 182First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 46 182 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2635First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 2635First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2635First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2635First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2635First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2635First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2635First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2635First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | US | Relix Records RRLP 2026LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Relix Records RRLP 2026LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | US | Relix Records RRLP 2026LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 1987 | US | Relix Records RRLP 2026LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | Grateful Dead Records GDLP 4.00647 JLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Germany | Grateful Dead Records GDLP 4.00647 JLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Grateful Dead Records GDV 4009LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Grateful Dead Records GDV 4009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Rolling Thunder are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1972 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BS 2635.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BS 2635, 46 182, WB 46 182, WBS 2635) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, l S BS-2635 40222-1 A2 and S1 BS-2635 40223-1 A 6. 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.
