Vinyl pressings
by Rod McKuen · 1970
New Ballads was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
39625 WS 1837 A-1C / A A 3 PRunout A
39626 WS 1837 B-1C / P B 3Runout B
S39625Label A
S39626Label B
WS 1837 A-1 ✳T STEREORunout, A-side, stamped
WS 1837 B-1 ✳T STEREORunout, B-side, stamped
MX161601Side 1 Print
MX161602Side 2 Print
WBC 1103 ASide A [stamped]
WBC 1103 B-2Side B [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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1837 / Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS-1837First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1837 / Warner Bros. Records 1837First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | UK | Warner Bros. Records WS 1837First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1837 / Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records 1837First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1837 / Warner Bros. Records 1837First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1837 / Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records ST-93132LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Warner Bros. Records WS 1837 / Warner Bros. Records K 46041LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records 1837 / Stanyan Records 1837LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records 1837 / Stanyan Records 1837LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records 1837 / Warner Bros. Records WS 1837LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of New Ballads are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1837.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WS 1837, WBC 1103) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 39625 WS 1837 A-1C / A A 3 P and 39626 WS 1837 B-1C / P B 3. 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.
