Vinyl pressings
by Teach-In · 1978
Dear John was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
141438ARunout side A, variant 1
141438BRunout side B, variant 1
141498ARunout side A, variant 2
141498BRunout side B, variant 2
141498ARunout side A
141498BRunout side B
141498ARunout side A
141498BRunout side B
CS-0332 ALabel A
CS-0332 ALabel B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Brazil | Carrere CS-0332 / Top Tape CS-0332First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Carrere 49.436First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | France | Carrere 49.436First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | CNR 6.12 392 / CNR 6.12392First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Italy | Carrere IS 20231First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Netherlands | CNR 141.498First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | CNR 141.498First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Netherlands | CNR 141.498First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Carrere EMI2891First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Turkey | Meteor 20047", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Dear John are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Netherlands, UK, Brazil, France and more. One of them is CNR 141.498.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 141.498, EMI2891, CS-0332, 49.436) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 141438A and 141438B. 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.
