Vinyl pressings
by The O'Jays · 1976
Darlin' Darlin' Baby was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 9 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.
P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3610-3 F/W NS TRunout side A variant 1
P.I.R. AB-ZS8-3610-4 F/W NS TRunout side B variant 1
T P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3610-3 F/W NS TRunout side A variant 2
T P.I.R. AB-ZS8-3610-4 F/W NS TIIRunout side B variant 2
P.I.R. A1-1-ZS8-3610-3 F/W NS SSSSide A, hand etched
P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3610-4 F/W NSSide B, hand etched
P.I.R. AD-ZS8-3610-3 F/W TII TRunout A version 1
P.I.R. AD-ZS8-3610-4 F/W TIIIRunout B version 1
T P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3610-3 F/WRunout A version 2
T P.I.R. AB-ZS8-3610-4 F/W TIIIIIIIRunout B version 2
P.I.R. AB-ZS8-3610-3 P F/W NSSide A, hand etched
P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3610-4 F/W NS PSide B, hand etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia ZS8 3610First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Costa Rica | CBS 11617First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Jamaica | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3610First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Mexico | Epic SC-71551First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Philadelphia International Records PIR 4834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Epic BAC 461733First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 4834First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Single |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3610First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records ASD 280First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3610First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3610First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3610First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1976 | USA & Canada | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3610First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3610First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 4834First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
17 vinyl pressings of Darlin' Darlin' Baby are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, Costa Rica and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records ZS8 3610, released November 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS8 3610, ASD 280, S PIR 4834, 11617) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P.I.R. AA-ZS8-3610-3 F/W NS T and P.I.R. AB-ZS8-3610-4 F/W NS T. 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.
