Vinyl pressings
by Nas · 1996
It Was Written was first pressed on vinyl in 1996. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1996, the album's first year, in 2 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.
AL-67015Runout variant #1 side A, etched
BL-67015Runout variant #1 side B, etched
AL-67015 3Runout variant #2 side A, etched
BL-67015 2Runout variant #2 side B, etched
01-484 196-20-A1 A.Side A, etched
01-484 196-20-B1 A.Side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Europe | Columbia 484196 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1996 | US | Columbia C 67015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 382 / Columbia 484196 1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US | Get On Down GET51310-LP / Sony Music 19075970211LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Get On Down GET51310-LPLP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Limited, Numbered | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Limited, Numbered |
| 2019 | US | Get On Down GET51310-LP / Columbia GET51310-LPLP, Misprint, Reissue | LP, Misprint, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Get On Down GET56461-LP / Columbia GET56461-LPLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | US | Get On Down GET51310-LP / Columbia GET51310-LPLP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 2023 | Worldwide | Columbia 19658828851 / Sony Music 19658828851LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Get On Down GET51479-LP / Columbia GET51479-LPLP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 2026 | Europe | Columbia 19958414681LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2026 | US | Legacy 19958414681 / Columbia 19958414681LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia C 67015LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Columbia C 67015LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
14 vinyl pressings of It Was Written are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1996 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1996, in US, Europe. One of them is Columbia C 67015, released July 2, 1996.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C 67015, 484196 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-67015 and BL-67015. 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.
