Vinyl pressings
by Steve Winwood · 1987
Chronicles was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 16 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.
S S W 1 A // 1 ▽ 4 2 0 E X 1 1 THE EXCHANGESide A, runout, stamped / etched, variant 1
S S W 1 B // 1 ▽ 4 2 0 E X 1 1 THE EXCHANGESide B, runout, stamped / etched, variant 1
S S W 1 A // 2 ▽ 4 2 0 E X 1 1 THE EXCHANGESide A, runout, stamped / etched, variant 2
S S W 1 B // 2 ▽ 4 2 0 E X 1 1Side B, runout, stamped, variant 2
SSW-1 A//1▽420 EX 1 1 1Side A stamped
SSW 1 B//1▽420 EX 11 3Side B stamped
THE EXCHANGESide A etched - faint & hard to read
JONZSide B etched - faint & hard to read
* SSWT • 1 • A • 2 * MT. THE EXCHANGESide A runout etched
* SSWT - 1 B-1 * MT. JONZ 1 1Side B runout etched
SSWT 1ASide A label
SSWT 1BSide B label
△18026 1-2 B-28922-SH2-DMM 1 25660 A DMM STERLING TJRunout A etched variant 1
1 25660 B DMM SH1 STERLING TJ N-28923-SH1 △18026-X 2-2Runout B etched variant 1
△ 18026 1-1 B-28922-SH2-DMM 1 25660 A DMM SH2 STERLING TJRunout A etched variant 2
1 25660 B DMM SH 1 STERLING TJ B-28923-SH1 △ 18026-X 2-Runout B etched variant 2
1 25660 A DMM SR1 STERLING TJ 2 SP1-3Side A etched, variant 1
1 25660 B DMM SR1 STERLING 2 SP1-1Side B etched, variant 1
1 25660 A DMM SR1 STERLING TJ 2 SP1-1Side A etched, variant 2
1 25660 B DMM SR1 STERLING TJ 2 SP1-1Side B etched, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | Festival Records RML 53247First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Canada | Island Records 92 56601First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Canada | Island Records W1 25660LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Colombia | Island Records 18(0831)00332First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 208 595First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Island Records VG 71458First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Ireland | Island Records SSW 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Israel | Island Records BAN SSW1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Italy | Island Records SSW 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Japan | Island Records R28D-2097First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Japan | Island Records R28D-2097First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Portugal | Island Records 208 595First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | South Africa | Island Records ILPC 27First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records 208 595 / Island Records 5F 208595First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Sweden | Island Records SSW 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Argentina | Island Records 842.364-1 / Island Records 29255LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Island Records W1 25660LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | USA & Canada | Island Records R-134501LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
32 vinyl pressings of Chronicles are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1987 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records SSW 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SSW 1, SSWT 1, SSWS1, 9 25660-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S S W 1 A // 1 ▽ 4 2 0 E X 1 1 THE EXCHANGE and S S W 1 B // 1 ▽ 4 2 0 E X 1 1 THE EXCHANGE. 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.
