Vinyl pressings
by Ray Thomas · 1976
Hopes Wishes & Dreams was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 8 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.
XZAL-14444.P-1W CG 1Runout side A variant 1
XZAL-14445.P-1W CU 2BRunout side B variant 1
XZAL-14444.P-1W BK 2BRunout side A variant 2
XZAL-14445.P-1W BG 2BRunout side B variant 2
T1 XZAL•14444 - 3 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] Stamped) D1Side 1 Etched
T1 XZAL-14445 - 1 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] Stamped)Side 2 Etched
T1 XZAL 14444-2 [Artisan Logo]Runout side A
T1 XZAL 14445-2 [Artisan Logo]Runout side B
XZAL 14444 THLabel side A
XZAL 14445 THLabel side B
XZAL 14444 2 BESTEtched Side 1 Variant 1
XZAL 14445 1 BESTEtched Side 2 Variant 1
XZAL•14444 • 2 BEST [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo]Etched Side 1 Variant 2 / [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] Stamped
XZAL-14445 • 1 BEST [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo]Etched Side 2 Variant 2 / [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] Stamped
XZAL 14444 2 WEtched, Side 1, Variant 1
XZAL 14445 1 WEtched, Side 2, Variant 1
XZAL 14444-① W [Artisan logo]Etched, Side 1, Variant 2
XZAL 14445-① W [Artisan logo]Etched, Side 2, Variant 2
XZAL 1444Side A
XZAL 1446Side B
XZAL- 1446-1Y 2A
XZAL- 1446-1Y 2A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Threshold THS17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Threshold 278.119 B - THS17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Threshold THSI 17First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Threshold GP-1045First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Threshold GP-1045First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Portugal | Threshold PP THS-17 / Valentim De Carvalho XZAL 14 444 PFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | Threshold TXS 3047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Threshold THS17First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Threshold THS17LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | UK | Threshold THS17First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | US | Threshold THS17First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Threshold THS 17First yearLP, Album, LP, Album | LP, Album, LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Threshold THS 17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Threshold Records Ltd. THS 17LP | LP |
14 vinyl pressings of Hopes Wishes & Dreams are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Threshold THS17.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use THS17, THS 17, 278.119 B - THS17, THSI 17) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-14444.P-1W CG 1 and XZAL-14445.P-1W CU 2B. 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.
