Vinyl pressings
by The Hollies · 1975
Write On was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 4 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.
2374 120 S1 HTM 1 PRunout, side A, variant 1
2374 120 S2 HTM 1 URunout, side B, variant 1
2374 120 S1 HTM 1A DRunout, side A, variant 2
2374 120 S2 HTM 1A ERunout, side B, variant 2
2374120 A 46C1 4 11 1 4Side A, numbers are mirrored - 11
2374120 B 46C1 113Side B, numbers are mirrored 113
2374120 A 46C1 11 21Runout A stamped
2374120 B 46C1 114Runout B stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Parlophone PASA-6124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Polydor 2374 120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Polydor 2374 120 / Polydor 2442 141First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Parlophone PCS 6124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Polydor 2374 120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | Polydor 2383 371LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2374 120LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong & Thailand | Parlophone S.LPEA 2004LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | Polydor 2382 371LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | Polydor 2383 371LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Polydor 2442 141LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Venezuela | Polydor 30.189LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Polydor 2383371LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2374 120LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2374 120LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Polydor MP 2539LP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of Write On are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Germany, Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand. One of them is Polydor 2374 120, released October 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2374 120, PASA-6124, PCS 6124) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2374 120 S1 HTM 1 P and 2374 120 S2 HTM 1 U. 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.
