Vinyl pressings
by The Grateful Dead · 1970
Workingman's Dead was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 10 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.
WS-1869 39719-1 KDRunout side A, Var. 1
WS-1869 39720-1 KDRunout side B, Var. 1
WS-1869 39719-1 KD Λ3 PRunout side A, Var. 2
WS-1869 39720-1 KD B6 PRunout side B, Var. 2
WS-1869 T 1 39719-1 KDRunout, etched, side A
WS-1869 T 1 39720-1 KDRunout, etched, side B
WS-1869 T 1 39719-2-1 [Artisan logo]Runout side A, etched - variant 1
WS-1869 T 1 39720-2-1 [Artisan logo]Runout side B, etched - variant 1
WS-1869 T 1 39719-2 [Artisan logo] B3Runout side A, etched, 'B' stamped - variant 2
WS-1869 T 1 39720-2-1 [Artisan logo] B15Runout side B, etched, 'B' stamped - variant 2
WS-1869 T 1 39719-2 KDRunout A, var. 1
WS-1869 T1 39720-2-1 [Artisan]Runout B, var. 1
WS-1869 T1 39719-2-1 [Artisan]Runout A, var. 2
WS-1869 T 1 39720-1 KDRunout B, var. 2
WS-1869 39719-1 KD B3Runout side A, etched
WS-1869 P 39720-1 KD XB 20Runout side B, etched
S39719Label side A
S39720Label side B
WS-1869 39719-1 KD Λ3 PRunout side A
WS-1869 39720-1 KD xB D PRunout side B
S39719Label side A
S39720Label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 1869 / Warner Bros. Records WS 1869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869 / Warner Bros. Records 1869First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1970 | Germany | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1869 / Warner Bros. Records 1869First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 46049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records BP-80022First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records BP-80022 / Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records BP-80022First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WBS.1869 / Warner Bros. Records 1869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1118First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records HWBS 321-14First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869 / Warner Bros. Records WS.1869First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869 / Warner Bros. Records WS.1869First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. Records ST-93234LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records WS 1869LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1970 | US | Warner Bros. Records ST-93234LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 46049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 46 049 / Warner Bros. Records K 46 049LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 46049 / Warner Bros. Records WB 46 049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 46049 / Warner Bros. Records WB 46 049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 46 049 / Warner Bros. Records WS 1869LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records LB 46049 / Warner Bros. Records 46049LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 46 049 / Warner Bros. Records K 46 049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | US | Warner Bros. Records R1 74396 / Warner Bros. Records 73681LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2003 | US | Rhino Records R1 74396 / Warner Bros. Records 73681LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | UK & Europe | Rhino Records 8122-79781-5 / Warner Bros. Records 8122-79781-5LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2011 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869 / Rhino Records R1 1869LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-42812", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2015 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869 (S39719)LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | Warner Records RCV1 1869 / Warner Records 081227906801LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869 (S39719)LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2020 | USA & Europe | Warner Records RPD1 1869LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2020 | Europe | Warner Records RR1 1869 / Warner Records 603497847754LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2020 | US | Warner Records RR1 1869 / Warner Records 603497847754LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Argentina | Warner Music Group 8122797815 / Plaza Independencia Música 081227978150LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2023 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-42812", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2026 | Worldwide | Rhino Records RHF1 1869 / Warner Records RHF1 1869LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 46049LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1869LP | LP |
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 1869 / Warner Bros. Records WS 1869LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 46 049 / Warner Bros. Records K 46 049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 46 049 / Warner Bros. Records K 46 049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 46049 / Warner Bros. Records WB 46 049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 46049 / Warner Bros. Records WS 1869LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 46 049 / Warner Bros. Records K 46 049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Warner Bros. Records 46049LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Warner Bros. Records 46049LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Warner Bros. Records 46 049 / Warner Bros. Records WS 1869LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 46049 / Warner Bros. Records WS 1869LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
126 vinyl pressings of Workingman's Dead are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1970 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WS 1869, released June 14, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WS 1869, 1869, W 46049, BP-80022) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WS-1869 39719-1 KD and WS-1869 39720-1 KD. 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.
