Vinyl pressings
by Stone · 1981
Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 3 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.
WES - 22139 - A - 70484 - VOCAL MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE TERENCE SMKRunout side A
WES - 22139 - B - 70485 - INST MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE TEE SMKRunout side B
WES 22139 ALabel side A
WES 22139 BLabel side B
WES-1239-A-70486-VOCAL HERBIE :v) SmKA-Side Runout Etching
WES-1239-B-70487-INST HERBIE :v) SmKB-Side Runout Etching
WES-22139-A-70484-VOCALEtched Side A
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKStamped Side A
Herbie Terence SMKEtched Side A
WES-22139-B-70485-INSTEtched Side B
WES-1239-A-70486-VOCAL HERbiE :v) smkA & B side runout etching
WES-DJ-1239 AA & B side labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Netherlands | Dance Records 600.518 / Ariola 600.518First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Dance Records 600.518 / Ariola 600.518First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Carrere CAR 236First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | UK | Carrere CAR 236First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single |
| 1981 | US | West End Records WES 22139First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | West End Records WES-DJ-22139First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | West End Records WES 1239First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | West End Records WES 2213912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | US | West End Records WES-DJ-1239First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | West End Records WES 2213912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | West End Records WES 22139First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Ariola 104 063 / Ariola 104 063- 1007", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | France | Jonathan ATO 12-2700512", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | France | Jonathan ATO 270057", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Dance Records 104.063 / Ariola 104.0637", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | US | West End Records WES 501012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Remastered, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Remastered, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK | West End Records WES-2213912", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Time are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1981 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Netherlands. One of them is West End Records WES 22139.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WES 22139, WES 1239, WES-DJ-22139, WES-DJ-1239) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WES - 22139 - A - 70484 - VOCAL MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE TERENCE SMK and WES - 22139 - B - 70485 - INST MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE TEE SMK. 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.
