Vinyl pressings
by Return To Forever · 1974
Where Have I Known You Before 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.
32 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 13 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.
PD 6509 AS McRRunout side A, variant 1
PD 6509 BS MCRRunout side B, variant 1
PD 6509 AS McRRunout side A, variant 2
PD 6509 BS MCR SRunout side B, variant 2
PD 6509 A STERLING 77Runout side 1
PD 6509 B STERLING 77Runout side 2
PD 6509 AS (MR) MCR △19237(1)Runout A
PD 6509 AS (MR) △19237-X(4) MCRRunout B
PD 6509-ALabel A
PD 6509-BLabel B
PD 6509 AS MCR △19237(5)Scribed Side A
PD 6509 BS △19237-X(4)MCRScribed Side B
MR [circled]Stamped Sides A & B
PD-6509-ASA Side Runout Groove
PD-6509-BSB Side Runout Groove
PD 6509-AA Side Label
PD 6509-BB Side Label
A-1 PD-6509-A-KSide A Runout Etched Variant 1
A-1 PD-6509-B-KSide B Runout Etched Variant 1
PD-6509-A-K ⟷ STERLING A-2 ⟷ ᐉSide A Runout Etched Variant 2
PD-6509-A-K ⟷ STERLING A-2 ᐉ ⟷Side B Runout Etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Austria | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Brazil | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Polydor 2302 030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Polydor 2310 354 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Philippines | Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Polydor PD 6509 / Polydor 2310 354First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Polydor 23 10 354First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 18MJ 9008LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 18MJ 9008LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor 2482 502LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 25MJ 3223LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | US | Polydor PD 6509LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 825-206-1 / Polydor 825-206-1 Y-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5876 / Polydor 2310 354LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor MIP-1-9348LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | France | Polydor 2302 030LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2310 354LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2310 354LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2310 354LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Polydor 2310 354 ALP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Taiwan | Rock Club of God Tree GT-1003LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Polydor PD 6509LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Polydor PD 6509LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
57 vinyl pressings of Where Have I Known You Before are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1974 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Austria, Brazil and more. One of them is Polydor PD 6509.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 6509, 2310 354, 2302 030, 2310 354 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD 6509 AS McR and PD 6509 BS MCR. 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.
