Vinyl pressings
by Scott Walker · 1969
Lights Of Cincinnati was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 12 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.
326981 1F//2 420Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
326981 2F//2 420Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
326981 1F//2 420 DC 2Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
326981 2F//2 420 DH JT 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
326981 1F//1 420 11 2Runout side A, stamped
326981 2F//1 420 11 5 1Runout side B, stamped
326 981 1FLabel A
326 981 2FLabel B
326981 1F//2 420Side A runout, stamped,
326981 2F//2 420Side B runout, stamped,
326 981 1FSide A label number
326 981 2FSide B label number
44859 4 1-1Stamped on Disc Side A
44802 1Stamped on Disc Side B
1-44859Printed on Label Side A
1-44802Printed on Label Side B
TOS561 - 326981 - 1F NBWStamped on disc side A
TOS561 - 326981 - 2F NBWStamped on disc side B
326 981 1FStamped on label side A
326 981 2FStamped on label side B
MX 160075A Side Runout
MX 160076B Side Runout
326981BF-1FA Side Label
326981BF-2FB Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Philips BF-447First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | Smash Records S. 2228First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | Philips 326 981 BFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Ireland | Philips BF 1793 / Philips 326 981 BFFirst year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Ireland | Philips EBF.1793 / Philips 326 981 BFFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Japan | Philips SFL-1236 / Philips SFL-1236(M)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1969 | Japan | Philips SFL-1236 / Philips SFL-1236 (M)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Philips 326 981 BFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Philips BF-326981First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Norway | Philips 326.981 BF / Philips 326 981 BFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Norway | Philips 326.981 BF / Philips 326 981 BFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Spain | Philips 326 981 BFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Philips BF 1793 / Philips 326 981 BFFirst year7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono | 7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Smash Records S-2228 / Mercury S-2228First year7", Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1969 | South Africa | Philips TOS 561First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Smash Records S-22287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Lights Of Cincinnati are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is Philips BF 1793, released June 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BF 1793, S-2228, TOS 561, BF-447) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 326981 1F//2 420 and 326981 2F//2 420. 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.
