Vinyl pressings
by The Jimi Hendrix Experience · 1967
Purple Haze / The Wind Cries Mary was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 2 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.
KA--4985-1D T1Runout A, variant 1
KA--4986-1C T11Runout B, variant 1
KA--4985-1D 111+Runout A, variant 2
KA--4986-1D 111+Runout B, variant 2
KA4985-1A SRunout A, etched
KA4986·1A SSSRunout B, etched
KA4985Label A
KA4986Label B
KA4985-1E pRunout A, etched
KA4986·1A pRunout B, etched
KA4985Label A
KA4986Label B
KA--4985-1A [etched]Runout Groove Side A
KA--4986-1A [etched]Runout Groove Side B
KA4985Side A Label
KA4986Side B Label
KA--4985-1A 2 (stamped)Runout Side A
KA--4986-1A (stamped)Runout Side B
KA4985Side A Label
KA4986Side B Label
KA4985-1A SRunout A
KA4986-1A SRunout B
KA4985Label A
KA4986Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Canada | Reprise Records 0597First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Canada | Reprise Records 0597First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | US | Reprise Records 0597 / Warner Bros. Records 0597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1967 | US | Reprise Records 0597 / Warner Bros. Records 0597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1967 | US | Reprise Records 0597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1967 | US | Reprise Records 0597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1967 | US | Reprise Records 0597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Reprise Records 0597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | UK | Old Gold OG 94307", 45 RPM, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1984 | UK | Old Gold OG 94307", Mono, Stereo, Single · Mono | 7", Mono, Stereo, Single · Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of Purple Haze / The Wind Cries Mary are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1967 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, Canada. One of them is Reprise Records 0597, released June 19, 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0597) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KA--4985-1D T1 and KA--4986-1C T11. 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.
