Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1976
The Story Of The Who 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.
20 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
2478091 A // 2 IB MELYSSide A runout, variant 1
2478091 B // 1 IB MELY + BOBSide B runout, variant 1
2478092 A // 1 IB MELY + BOBSide C runout, variant 1
2478092 B // 1 IB MELY + BOBSide D runout, variant 1
2478091 A // 3 IB 1 2 4 MELYSSide A runout, variant 1
2478091 B // 3 IB 12 5 MELYSSide B runout, variant 1
2478092 A // 3 IB 1 1 7 MELYSSide C runout, variant 1
2478092 B // 3 IB 1 3 2 MELYSSide D runout, variant 1
2478091 A//1 IB 14 11 MELY + BOBSide A runout variant 1
2478091 B//1 IB 16 6 MELY + BOBSide B runout variant 1
2478092 A//1 IB 15 5 10 MELY + BOBSide C runout variant 1
2478092 B//1 IB 14 12 MELY + BOBSide D runout variant 1
169 2478 091 S1 320 24 1. 5 Made in AustriaRunout A, stamped
169 2478 091 S2 320 24 1. 5 Made in AustriaRunout B, stamped
169 2478 092 S1 320 24 5. 1 Made in AustriaRunout C, stamped
169 2478 092 S2 320 24 1. 5 Made in AustriaRunout D, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Polydor 2668 015First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Australia | Polydor 2668 015First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Austria | Polydor 2668 015First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | France | Polydor 2669 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2668 015First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2668 015First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2668 015First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2668 015First yearLP, Compilation, White Label, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, White Label, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1976 | Ireland | Polydor 2683 069First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Italy | Polydor 2668 016 AFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Japan | Polydor MPZ 8101~02First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor 2683 069 / Columbia 2683 069First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Polydor 2668 015First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | South Africa | Polydor 2668 015First yearLP, Mono, Stereo, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Stereo, Compilation · Mono |
| 1976 | Spain | Polydor 26 79 043First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 35MM0072/73LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | Polydor 2683 069LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 26 79 043LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2 LP 5651/5652 / Polydor 2668 015LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2 LP 5651/5652 / Polydor 2668 015LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Polydor 5864519LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Polydor 2683 069LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
40 vinyl pressings of The Story Of The Who are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1976 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, Australia, Austria, France and more. One of them is Polydor 2683 069, released September 24, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2683 069, 2668 015, 2669 032, 2668 016 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2478091 A // 2 IB MELYS and 2478091 B // 1 IB MELY + BOB. 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.
