Vinyl pressings
by Sam Cooke · 1960
Chain Gang was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1960, 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.
L5 PW1430-3S A1 RRunout - Stamped - Side A, variant 1
L5 PW1499-3S B1 RRunout - Stamped - Side B, variant 1
L5 PW1430-6S A1 RRunout - Stamped - Side A, variant 2
L5 PW1499-6S B1 RRunout - Stamped - Side B, variant 2
L5 PW1430-4S HRunout - Stamped - Side A
L5 PW1499-4S HRunout - Stamped - Side B
L5PW-1430Side A Label
L5PW-1499Side B Label
L5 PW1430-2S I A7Side A stamped, variant 1
L5 PW1499-1S I A9Side B stamped, variant 1
L5 PW1430-2S I A2Side A stamped, variant 2
L5 PW1499-1S I A4Side B stamped, variant 2
L5PW-1430-1C BH 2DSide A Runout (Stamped)
L5PW-1499-1C BH 2DSide B Runout (Stamped)
L5PW-1430Side A Label
L5PW-1499Side B Label
L5PW-1430-1CRunout - Stamped - Side A
L5PW-1499-1CRunout - Stamped - Side B
L5PW-1430Side A Label
L5PW-1499Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Australia | RCA 10943First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-7783First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Germany | RCA 47-7783First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Germany | RCA 47-7783First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Greece | RCA Victor 47g 746First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Ireland | RCA 45-ERC 1202First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Italy | RCA Italiana 45N 1103 / RCA Victor 47-7783First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Italy | RCA 45N 1103 / RCA 47-7783First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Italy | RCA Italiana 45N 1103 / RCA Italiana 47-7783First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Italy | RCA Italiana 45N 1103 / RCA Italiana 47-7783First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Jamaica | RCA Victor 47-7783First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | Japan | Victor SS-1244First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | Japan | Victor SS-1244First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | New Zealand | RCA 4/60209First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | South Africa | RCA 71.336First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Chile | RCA Victor 47-77837", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RCA 12027", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RCA 12027", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
27 vinyl pressings of Chain Gang are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor 47-7783, released July 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-7783, 61-7783, 45-RCA-1202, 45-RCA 1202) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, L5 PW1430-3S A1 R and L5 PW1499-3S B1 R. 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.
