Vinyl pressings
by Skylark · 1972
Wildflower / The Writing's On The Wall was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 14 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.
78280 3511 F1 #1 OA Side Etched Deadwax
78135 3511 F1 #3 OB Side Etched Deadwax
S45-78280Side A Label
S45-78135ASide B Label
78280 3511 F13 OA Side Etched Deadwax, variant 1
78135 3511 F13 OB Side Etched Deadwax, variant 1
78280 3511 F1 #2 OA Side Etched Deadwax, variant 2
78135 3511 F1 #4 OB Side Etched Deadwax, variant 2
S-45-78280-F-3 • • 1 ✼ 2A Side Runout Etched / except '1 ✼' Stamped
S-45-78135A-F-3 • • 1 ✼ 2B Side Runout Etched / except '1 ✼' Stamped
S45-78280-F2#2 —◁A Side Etched Deadwax, variant 1
S45-78135-A-F2 —◁B Side Etched Deadwax, variant 1
S45-78280-F2 —◁A Side Etched Deadwax, variant 2
S45-78135-A-F2 —◁B Side Etched Deadwax, variant 2
S45-78280Side A Label
S45-78135ASide B Label
S45-78280Side A Label
S45-78135ASide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-10193First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Brazil | Capitol Records S7C-11.165First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Capitol Records 3511First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Canada | Capitol Records 3511First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Denmark | Capitol Records CL 15747First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006-81 415First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 006 81415 / Capitol Records 3 C 006-81415First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Capitol Records 3511First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Capitol Records 3511First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Japan | Capitol Records ECR-10313First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 006-81415First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Capitol Records F.3511First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Philippines | Capitol Records CAP-45-356-AFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | South Africa | Capitol Records JCL 537First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15747First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records 62557", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Capitol Records 35117", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Jamaica | Capitol Records ST-110487", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1A 006-814157", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records X-6255 / Starline X-62557", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records X-62557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
39 vinyl pressings of Wildflower / The Writing's On The Wall are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1972 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records 3511, released January 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3511, P-3511, CL 15747, CP-10193) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 78280 3511 F1 #1 O and 78135 3511 F1 #3 O. 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.
