Vinyl pressings
by The Moody Blues · 1969
Watching And Waiting was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
XZDR-46049-T1-1K I 1Stamped runout, side A, variant 1
XZDR-46050-T1-1K U 1Stamped runout, side B, variant 1
XZDR-46049-T1-1K H 1Stamped runout, side A, variant 2
XZDR-46050-T1-1K H 1Stamped runout, side B, variant 2
XZDR 46049-T1-1K[A] side stamped
XZDR-46050-T1-1K[B] side stamped
XDR 46049 B1Runout side A
XDR 46050 B1Runout side B
XDR 46.049Label side A
XDR 46.050Label side B
Ste-XDR-46049-U Manufactured in Germany S-ⅡSide A
Ste-XDR-46050-U Manufactured in Germany S-ⅡSide B
XDR 46 049Side A, label
XDR 46 050Side B, label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Threshold TH-8998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | Threshold TH 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Threshold TH 1First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Threshold TH 21 000First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Threshold TH.1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Portugal | Threshold TH 1First year7" | 7" |
| 1969 | Spain | Threshold MO 742First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Spain | Threshold MO 742First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Turkey | Decca 69113First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | UK | Threshold TH 1First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | UK | Threshold TH 17", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1969 | UK | Threshold TH 1First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | France | Threshold TH 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Japan | Threshold TH-27", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Watching And Waiting are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, France, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Threshold TH 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TH 1, TH-8998, TH 21 000, TH.1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZDR-46049-T1-1K I 1 and XZDR-46050-T1-1K U 1. 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.
