Vinyl pressings
by Thin Lizzy · 1973
Vagabonds Of The Western World was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ZAL-12520.P-3WRunout side A, variant 1
ZAL-12521.P-3WRunout side B, variant 1
ZAL-12520.P-5W UH 2DRunout side A, variant 2
ZAL-12521.P-3W CH 3CRunout side B, variant 2
ZAL-12520.P-3W H 2 BSide A runout
ZAL-12521.P-3W BB 2 BSide B runout
ZAL 12520PSide A label
ZAL 12521PSide B label
ZAL-12520.P-3WSide A
ZAL-12521.P-3WSide B
ZAL-12520.P-5W C 1Side A runout, variant 1
ZAL-12521.P-3W U U 1Side B runout, variant 1
ZAL-12520.P-5W K 1Side A runout, variant 2
ZAL-12521.P-3W BH 2DSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | London Records XPS 636First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | London Records XPS 636First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | London Records XPS 636First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Decca SLK 17037-P / Decca SLK 17 037-PFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Decca SLK 17037-PFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Decca SLK 17037-PFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | Decca SKL 45109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Decca SKL 5170First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SKL 5170LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SKL 5170First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SKL 5170First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SKL 5170First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SKL 5170First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | London Records XPS 636LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | London Records XPS 636LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Decca SKL 5170LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Decca SKL 5170LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Mercury 5353565LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | UK & Europe | Decca 5353565 / Universal Music Group International 0600753535653LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | Future Days Recordings FDR 611 / Decca SKL 5170LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | Europe | Decca 0801730LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2019 | Europe | Decca 0801730 / UMC 0602508017308LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Decca 5587529 / Decca 00602455875297LP, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Compilation, Remastered, All Media, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Compilation, Remastered, All Media, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Europe | Decca 5587518LP, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Remastered, Special Edition · Limited | LP, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Remastered, Special Edition · Limited |
| 2023 | Europe | Decca 5855831 / Decca 602458558319LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.21 535 AO / Decca 6.21 535LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Nova 6.21535 AO / Decca 6.21535LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.21 535 AO / Decca 6.21 535LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Decca SKL 45109LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Vagabonds Of The Western World are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1973 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Canada, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is Decca SKL 5170, released September 21, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SKL 5170, XPS 636, SLK 17037-P, SKL 45109) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-12520.P-3W and ZAL-12521.P-3W. 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.
