Vinyl pressings
by William Ackerman · 1977
It Takes A Year was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 2 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.
WH -7705- A RE1 SR/2 037Side A runout, variant 1
WH- 7705 - B SR/2 038Side B runout, variant 1
WH -7705- A RE1- SR/2 037+Side A runout, variant 2
WH- 7705 - B SR/2 038Side B runout, variant 2
WH- 7705 A RE 1 SR/2Runout
WH - 7705 - A SR Δ22508 (1)Side A runout
WH - 7705 - B SR Δ22508-X (1)Side B runout
WHS C-1003-ASide A label
WHS C-1003-BSide B label
WHP-28013-A TO 4-4 1-A-7 3 JISSide One
WHP-28013-B TO 4-4 2-A-6 3 JISSide Two
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Japan | Windham Hill Records WHP-28013First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Windham Hill Records WHP-28013First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Windham Hill Records WHS C-1003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Windham Hill Records C-1003 / Windham Hill Records WHS C-1003LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Windham Hill Records WHS C-1003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Windham Hill Records WHS C-1003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Pastels A-ST-2014LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1003LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1003LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Windham Hill Records WHS-A-C-1003LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1003LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | US | Windham Hill Records WH-1003LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
12 vinyl pressings of It Takes A Year are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1977 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Japan. One of them is Windham Hill Records WHS C-1003.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WHS C-1003, WHP-28013) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WH -7705- A RE1 SR/2 037 and WH- 7705 - B SR/2 038. 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.
