Vinyl pressings
by Wah! · 1982
The Story Of The Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 7 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.
JF 1 A2 W-L W-4A-Side run-out, hand-etched - Variant 1
JF 1 B2 W-L W-6B-Side run-out, hand-etched - Variant 1
JF 1 A2 W-L W-45 F/1A-Side run-out, hand-etched - Variant 2
JF 1 B2 W-L W-43 F/1B-Side run-out, hand-etched - Variant 2
JF1TWAH 1A R/S FI W-L RAYSRun-out, side A, etched
JF1T WAH - B R/S FI W-LRun-out, side B, etched
JF 1(T) ALabel Side A
JF 1(T) BLabel Side B
[AGI logo] 8212 WA2 JF1 STRAWBERRYA side runout
[AGI logo] 8212 WAH B2 JF1 STRAWBERRYB side runout
JF 1 ASide A label
JF 1 BSide B label
JF 1 AA-Side run-out, hand-etched
JF 1 BB-Side run-out, hand-etched
JF - 1 - A WAH - A3A-side runout, etched
JF - 1 - B WAH - B3B-side runout, etched
STRAWBERRYRunout, A & B-side, etched
[AGI logo] 8212 WA2 JF1 STRAWBERRYRunout side A, stamped, etched JF1
[AGI logo] 8212 WAH B2 JF1 STRAWBERRYRunout side B, stamped, etched JF1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | WEA 7-249981First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Benelux | WEA 24.9981-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | WEA 24 99800First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | WEA 249981-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | WEA JF 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Netherlands | WEA 24.9980-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | New Zealand | WEA 249980-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Eternal JF 1 / Eternal 249981-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Eternal JF 1(T) / Eternal 249980-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Eternal JF 1 / Eternal 249981-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Eternal JF 1 / Eternal 249981-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Eternal JF 1 / Eternal 249981-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Eternal JF 1 / Eternal JF1First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Eternal JF 1 / Eternal 249981-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | Eternal JF 1 / Eternal 249981-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | UK | Chrysalis Catalogue WAH120112", Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | WEA 24 998177", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
22 vinyl pressings of The Story Of The Blues are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1982 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Australia, Benelux, Canada and more. One of them is Eternal JF 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JF 1, JF 1(T), 7-249981, 24.9981-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JF 1 A2 W-L W-4 and JF 1 B2 W-L W-6. 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.
