Vinyl pressings
by Yes · 1978
Don't Kill The Whale was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
K11184 A 5 - STRAWBERRY SEÁNRunout side A, variant 1
K11184-B5 4 L11/10Runout side B, variant 1
K11184 A 5 5 A STRAWBERRY – SeánRunout side A, variant 2
K11184 B 5 D 5 L11/10Runout side B, variant 2
K 11184 A5 STRAWBERRY-Sean K 11184 A5Runout side A, variant 1
K 11184 B5 01/11TRunout side B, variant 1
K11184-A4 STRAWBERRY-Sean TBRunout side A, variant 2
K11184-B4 2 4 דייויס TBRunout side B, variant 2
K11184-A4 STRAWBERRY - SeánRunout side A, variant 1
K11184-B4 4 L11/10 TBRunout side B, variant 1
K11184-A5 5 A STRAWBERRY - SeánRunout side A, variant 2
K11184-B5 4 D L11/10 TBRunout side B, variant 2
K 11184-A4 STRAWBERRY-Sean TBRunout side A, variant 1
K 11184-B4 4 L11/10 TBRunout side B, variant 1
K 11184-A4 STRAWBERRY-Sean TBRunout side A, variant 2
K 11184-B4 1N 4 L11/10 TBRunout side B, variant 2
K11184-A4 STRAWBERRY - SeánSide A
K11184-B4 4 D'/"T TBSide B
K11184 A 5 D 5 TI STRAWBERRY - SeánRunout side A
K11184 B 5 5 L11/10 CRunout side B
K 11184 A *Label side A
K 11184 B *Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Atlantic 45-1968First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 11 184First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Japan | Atlantic P-334AFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Japan | Atlantic P-334AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 11184First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Atlantic 45 1968First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Spain | Atlantic 45-1786First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11184First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11184First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11184First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11184First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11184First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11184First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11184First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Atlantic K 11184First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Atlantic K 111847", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
23 vinyl pressings of Don't Kill The Whale are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Belgium, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic K 11184, released September 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 11184, 3534, ATL 11 184, 45-1968) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K11184 A 5 - STRAWBERRY SEÁN and K11184-B5 4 L11/10. 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.
