Vinyl pressings
by Paper Lace · 1974
The Night Chicago Died was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
2-51246-PR8 MASTERDISK G.K. PRA side run-out etched
2-51294-PR-1-1-11 MASTERDISK Pa PRCB side run-out etched
2-51294A side center label
2-51246B side center label
2-51294-1-11 AUDIO LABS RDA. PRCA side run-out etched
2-51246 C-30166-B 9 ++ PRCB side run-out etched
2-51294A side center label
2-51246B side center label
2065 230-ASSide A label
2065 228-ASSide B label
6000 151 A WSide A runout stamped
6000 151 B WSide B runout stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Not On Label PC-1118First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Ecuador | Philips 30162First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1974 | Ecuador | Philips 30162First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1974 | Greece | Philips 6000151First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Turkey | Philips 60000147-aFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Mercury C-30166First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Mercury C-30166First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Ireland | Old Gold OG 90287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Old Gold OG 9028 / Lightning Records OG 90287", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1985 | Netherlands | BR Music 451387", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | BR Music 45 1387", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Germany | ZYX Records 19317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 90287", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 90287", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 90287", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 90287", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Old Gold OG 90287", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of The Night Chicago Died are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1974 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada, Ecuador, Greece and more. One of them is Mercury C-30166.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C-30166, PC-1118, 30162, 6000151) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2-51246-PR8 MASTERDISK G.K. PR and 2-51294-PR-1-1-11 MASTERDISK Pa PRC. 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.
