Vinyl pressings
by Scott Fitzgerald · 1977
If I Had Words was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 11 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.
UP36333 A-1U H 1 ALLENSide A runout variant 1
UP36333 B-1U N 1 ALLENSide B runout variant 1
UP 36333 A-1U TD 2 ALLENSide A runout variant 2
UP 36333 B-2U TP 1Side B runout variant 2
UP 36333 A-1UA-Side Run-out, Stamped
UP 36333 B-1UB-Side Run-out, Stamped
UP 36333 A-1UHand etched in run-out area A-side
UP 36333 B-1UHand etched in run-out area B-side
UP 36333ALabel A-side
UP 36333BLabel B-side
UAXW-1166-A-TXSide A Runout, Etched
UAXW-1166-B-TGSide B Runout, Etched
UA 19656-1 DINO T1Runout side A
T UAST 11956-1 DINO T111Runout side B
UA-19656Label side A
UAST-19656Label side B
MX51889Side A label
MX51890Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | United Artists Records K-6988 / United Artists Records UP-36333First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Belgium | Pepper Records 4C 006-60276 / United Artists Records 4C006-60276First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Belgium | United Artists Records 4C 006-60276 / Pepper Records 4C 006-60276First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Belgium | United Artists Records UP 36.333First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Belgium | United Artists Records 4C006-60276 / Pepper Records 4C 006-60276First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Belgium | Pepper Records 4C 006-60276 / United Artists Records 4C006-60276First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Belgium | United Artists Records 4C006-60276 / Pepper Records 4C 006-60276First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | United Artists Records UAXW-1166First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | United Artists Records 36 333 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Greece | United Artists Records UP 36333First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Ireland | United Artists Records UP 36333 / Pepper Records UP 36333First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 5C 006-60 276 / United Artists Records 5C 006-60276First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 5C 006-60 276 / United Artists Records 5C 006-60276First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | United Artists Records K 6988First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Panama | United Artists Records UA-X1187-YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Liberty 1A 006-60276 / EMI 1A 006-602767", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | United Artists Records N-S-14-1347", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Turkey | West W 22 / West W 237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
28 vinyl pressings of If I Had Words are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is United Artists Records UP 36333, released November 4, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UP 36333, UAXW-1166, UA-X1187-Y, K-6988) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UP36333 A-1U H 1 ALLEN and UP36333 B-1U N 1 ALLEN. 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.
