John Wesley Harding
This page is part of a list of original releases by release date of international commercially-released regular stereo Dylan albums. They do not contain rarities or obscurities and are not eligible for the Searching For A Gem list. Nevertheless, their interest value or scarcity means they're worth listing here - as far as I know some are not included on any other Internet site. Promo releases of regular albums are now listed here and no longer in the former yearly Promo sections. Because of the length of this page, John Wesley Harding CD releases are now here. For releases of this album in CBS/Columbia multi-packs, see International Album Releases (Regular) - Multi-Packs. |
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If you have any entries to add to the list or additions/corrections to existing entries, please let me know! Please note I cannot value your Dylan rarities - see the Mission page for reasons why. Contact the dealers on my Trading page for assistance!
Revised 16 September, 2024.
John Wesley Harding was the last Dylan album to have a separate mono mix - for this see Mono Album Releases. Sonny Boy McFitzson says that Bob wanted the album to sound like Gordon Lightfoot's 1967 second album, The Way I Feel, which also had Kenny Buttrey on bass and Charlie McCoy on drums. Bob brought an acetate of the album to Robbie Robertson's house to ask him and Garth Hudson to do overdubs on the finished master tapes but Robbie refused as recounted in Chapter 19 of his book "Testimony". Jimi Hendrix's power covers of All Along The Watchtower and Drifter's Escape confirmed Bob's instinct that the songs could also be done differently.
This title is one of the fifteen Dylan albums released in Sep 2003 as a hybrid CD/SA-CD. This is playable both in stereo on an ordinary CD player and in enhanced stereo on an SA-CD player or a DVD player that also plays SA-CDs (Sony's higher range models all do this). Some titles are available in 5.1 surround sound, but not this one.
The recalled Aug 1997 CD jewel case re-release of Biograph contained an unfaded version of I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (R-0255, see 1997). The replacement Oct 1997 jewel case release and the current "book-style" release of Biograph do not contain this rarity.
All Along The Watchtower was remixed by Funkstar De Luxe in 2001, on the album Keep On Moving (It's Too Funky In Here), see 2001.
Out-takes from this album were released in Nov 2019 on The Bootleg Series Vol. 15 - Travelin' Thru 1967-1969.
Drifter's Escape (Columbia Studio A, Nashville, TN, 17
Oct 1967, Take 1)
I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine (Columbia Studio A, Nashville, TN, 17 Oct 1967,
Take 2)
All Along the Watchtower (Columbia Studio A, Nashville, TN, 6 Nov 1967, Take 3)
John Wesley Harding (Columbia Studio A, Nashville, TN, 6 Nov 1967, Take 1)
As I Went Out One Morning (Columbia Studio A, Nashville, TN, 6 Nov 1967, Take 1)
I Pity The Poor Immigrant (Columbia Studio A, Nashville, TN, 6 Nov 1967, Take 4)
I Am A Lonesome Hobo (Columbia Studio A, Nashville, TN, 6 Nov 1967, Take 4)
Vinyl and Tape Releases
"John Wesley Harding" - acetate stereo LPs, Columbia XSM 135311/135312 (USA), Dec 1967:
Thanks to Hans Seegers, Ian Woodward, Peter Coulthard and "H. R." from Chicago for information and pictures.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP, Columbia CS 9604 (USA), 5 Jan 1968 (three variants), re-released 1969-70, early 1970s; Columbia KCS 9604 (USA), 1970s; Columbia PC 9604 (USA), late 1970s/early 1980s; Columbia JC 9604 (USA), 1983; Columbia PC 9604 (USA), late 1980s, re-released early 1990s:
Columbia CS 9604 (USA), Jan 1968 (first variant):
Gerd Rundel's commercial stereo copy with the labels shown has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1D (larger than on Side 2), Side 2 - XSM135312-1A. Sergio Mariano Romay has a commercial copy which also has the copyright text missing on the rear sleeve, first release labels as shown and exactly the same handwritten matrix numbers (e.g. larger on Side 1 than on Side 2). The record is in an unusual light brown/grey mottled plain inner sleeve, not a picture inner sleeve as shown below. The front sleeve has two stickers, a white stamped sticker with "J/COLUMBIA/ROCK & ROLL/CS 9604" on the left (possibly for record store classification) and a yellow printed price sticker on the right. On Gerd's first 1960s variant Side 2 label, track 6, I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" is listed as "I'LL BF. YOUR BABY TONIGHT". This could be just a printing error, as subsequent Side 2 labels do not have this mistake.
Jonas Ruthenberg has an original US stereo commercial copy that has slightly different specifications than those already listed. It still has an opened shrink wrap with some residue of a price sticker on the upper right hand side of the shrink wrap on the front sleeve. There is no "(C) 1968 by Bob Dylan" text on the rear sleeve. The record of this copy comes in a light brown/grey plain inner sleeve. It has first variant labels and handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM 135311-1B, Side 2 - XSM 135312-1B.
Thanks to Stuart Moore for the scan of the Big Three Music Corporation US sheet music for the album.
Columbia CS 9604 (USA), Jan 1968 (second and third variants):
Justin Hickerson has a US stereo copy where the credit to Bob Dylan is present on the lower right corner of rear sleeve and is dated 1968. There is also a paper inner sleeve that, oddly enough, advertises Nashville Skyline.The label style is the third 1960s variant with the writer's credit present on both sides. Side 1 has a deep groove between the white outside text and the track listing inside. Side 2 is smooth. The matrix numbers indicate a Terre Haute pressing and are: Side 1 - XSM-135311-1A N/W (appears to be an "N" over a "W") D O T, Side 2 - o XSM-13512-1K D1 T 1. The "D"s and "o"s are very, very faint.
Thanks to Stuart Moore for scans of what appears to be a later 1960s release still in the shrink-wrap with a "D" stamp on the front and back. It has 1960s labels but the writer credit for "B. Dylan" is printed lower than on the labels of the records from Frank and Anton Wennbom (it's missing altogether on the Side 2 label of Anton's export copy below, as it is on one of Gerd Rundel's mono copies, see Mono Album Releases). The record matrix numbers of this copy are: Side 1 - XSM135311-1H, Side 2 - XSM135312-1E.
Thanks to Bob Hieger from St. Louis, MO, for information: "Here, in St Louis MO, EJ Korvette was a very good store with a very good record department. They had a (usually purple) pricing stamp which they applied to the shrink on the back cover, up at the top right corner. This stamp was a circle with C (MONO), D (regular stereo pricing) or E (higher priced stereo, ELEKTRA, VERVE, etc.) inside. I’m not sure if I have any albums with the stamp on the front cover, but I have quite a few with it on the back, top, right corner. My copy of JWH has the D in a circle (purple) on the back, top, right corner."
Sergio Mariano Romay has a second copy of this LP with these characteristics:
Rear sleeve: copyright text still missing
Record label Side 2: second 1960s variant, with writer’s credit missing
Matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM – 135311 – 1C (handwritten with small letters), Side 2 - XSm – 135312 – 1F (handwritten with large letters). (This is the opposite of Gerd and Sergio's copies above, where the Side 1 matrix number was larger than that of Side 2.)
Jurgen Vreugdenhil has a copy with the third 1960s variant record labels but with matrix numbers that imply the record is from the early 1970s: Side 1 - XSM135311-1K, Side 2 - XSM135312-1K (the same as Gerd Rundel's 1970s copy, see below). I can only assume one of the Columbia pressing plants had a stock of old labels to use up!
Thanks to Ian Woodward and Arie de Reus for information about a 1960s copy with red vinyl. Hans Seegers says these were pressed at the Columbia plant at Pitman, NJ, as a limited edition for employees. Derek Barker in "Isis" 190 says that they were actually made by an employee at the Columbia pressing plant at Pitman, NJ, as "after hours" copies using the same press as used for the commercial black vinyl copies, but with coloured vinyl. The red vinyl copy found by Gerd Rundel on eBay has stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1H, Side 2 - XSM135312-1H. Arie de Reus has a copy of the red vinyl release and also a copy with yellow vinyl. He knows of three copies of each that were pressed. All have the "1H" matrix numbers. As they were pressed from official company plates and have the correct matrix numbers, these copies are very highly sought after!
Ian Woodward has a Columbia US catalogue from late 1968 with a tear-off portion so dealers could order albums to stock for Christmas. The only two Dylan albums listed are Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits and John Wesley Harding, both in four stereo formats: LP, 4-track stereo, 8-track stereo and stereo reel-to-reel tape (all shown here). This indicates that by late 1968 Columb8ia US had stopped promoting mono LPs.
Columbia CS 9604 (USA), 1969-70:
Columbia CS 9604 (USA) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel (1969-70
release)
Nigel Harrison has a copy in the same sleeve where the record comes in an inner sleeve advertising Country and Western posters (Gerd's copy comes in a plain white inner sleeve). The record labels are the same as Gerd's copy above with "CS 9604 in italics and "STEREO" to the left of the centre hole, but the record has different stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1K 1 T, Side 2 - XSM135312-1H. Nigel thinks the matrices indicate that this copy was pressed from T1 first mould lacquers, probably from the "H" in Columbia's plant in Carrollton, GA.
Columbia CS 9604 (USA), early 1970s (two variants):
Columbia CS 9604 (USA) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel (early
1970s releases)
Both records shown have 1970s style labels with Columbia logos in a ring round the circumference, still with catalogue number "CS 9604". There are two record label variants, both of which come in the same sleeve. The differences are to the left of the centre hole. Variant 1 has "CS 9604" in bold italics with "STEREO" immediately below it. The record of the variant 1 copy shown has stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1K, Side 2 -XSM135312-1K. Variant 2 has "CS 9604" no longer in bold italics with "STEREO" to the left of the centre hole missing. The record of the variant 2 copy shown has the same stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1K, Side 2- XSM135312-1K.
As stated above, Jürgen Vreugdenhil has a copy with these matrix numbers, but with the third 1960s variant record labels.
Columbia KCS 9604 (USA), mid-1970s:
Columbia KCS 9604 (USA) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel (1970s
release, late 1970s/early 1980s release PC 9604 sleeve is the same)
Bill Succolosky has a copy of KCS 9604 in the previous stereo/mono sleeve with a "STEREO/KCS 9604" sticker on the front sleeve at top left.
Columbia PC 9604 (USA), late 1970s/early 1980s:
Columbia JC 9604 (USA), 1983:
Manuel's sleeve has "JC 9604" on the spine as shown, but Gerd's copy has "PC 9604" on the spine but overprinted and "JC 9604" added. The record labels are the same for both copies with "JC 9604".
Columbia PC/JC 9604 (USA), ca. 1984:
Columbia PC/JC 9604 (USA) - detail of spine, scan by Sergio Mariano Romay
(1984 release
- catalogue number obscured on the left/top and “JC 9604” printed in the
centre)
The record has 1970s style labels with Columbia logos in a ring round the circumference. It has catalogue number “PC 9604” but without the inverted triangle to the left of the centre hole as on the labels below. The matrix numbers of this copy, stamped both sides, are: Side 1 - XSM135311-1AC, Side 2 - XSM135312-1AH.
Columbia PC 9604 (USA), late 1980s, re-released early 1990s:
Thanks also to Stuart and Gerd Rundel for scans of the early 1990s release of PC 9604 with plain red Columbia record labels with one white Columbia logo instead of the ring of yellow Columbia logos. Stuart's copy has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM 135311 (suffix missing) plus "MJS", Side 2 - XSM 135312-3A. Gerd's copy has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM-135311-G2D, Side 2 - XSM-135312-G2B.
"John Wesley Harding" - 180gm stereo vinyl
test pressings and 2LP set, Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA), test pressings
dated 23 Sep 2013, 9 Jun 2014 and 22 Sep 2014, commercial release 14 Jul 2015:
This heavyweight vinyl release
plays at 45RPM and comes on two discs in a gatefold sleeve.
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA), test pressings:
Each record of the second test pressing comes in a plain white sleeve with a sticker at front top left. Sides 1 and 3 again have generic RTI labels, this time dated 9 Jun 2014 while Sides 2 and 4 again have plain white labels. The handwritten matrix numbers are the same as those of the first test pressing.
Each record of the third test pressing comes in a plain black cut-out sleeve. Sides 1 and 3 again have generic RTI labels, this time dated 22 Sep 2014 while Sides 2 and 4 again have plain white labels. On Sides 1 and 3 "SEPTEMBER" is misspelled "SEPTEMBE". The handwritten matrix numbers are the same as those of the first and second test pressings.
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA), commercial release:
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - front of gatefold sleeve, picture from www.musicdirect.com (2013 release) |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - rear of gatefold sleeve, scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - detail of rear of gatefold sleeve, scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - detail of inside of gatefold sleeve, scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - detail of inside of gatefold sleeve, scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - detail of inside of gatefold sleeve, scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - Side 1 scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - detail of Side 1, scan by Sergio Mariano Romay (dated 2015) |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - Side 2 scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - Side 3 scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - Side 4 scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - detail of rear of gatefold sleeve,
scan by Sergio Mariano Romay
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - detail of inside of gatefold sleeve,
scan by Sergio Mariano Romay
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - detail of inner sleeve, scan by Sergio
Mariano Romay
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-423 (USA) - detail of spine, scan by Sergio
Mariano Romay
Sergio Mariano Romay has a 2015 commercial copy. The original sleeve notes are now printed on the inside of the gatefold sleeve. The copyright is "© 1967 by Bob Dylan", instead of 1968 as on the original albums. The rear sleeve is numbered, the copy shown is "000315". The two records come in plastic Mobile Fidelity inner bags and have black and silver Mobile Fidelity labels dated 2015. The commercial records shown have handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - MFSL 2-423A3 kw @ MoFi 22390-1 (3)…, Side 2 - MFSL 2-423B3 kw @ MoFi 22390-2 (3)…, Side 3 - MFSL 2-423C3 kw @ MoFi 22390-3 (3)…, Side 4 - MFSL 2-423D3 kw @ MoFi 22390-4 (3)... The "kw" again means the records were mastered by Krieg Wunderlich of Mobile Fidelity.
Thanks to Ian Woodward, Renaud Depierreux, Justin Hickerson, Bob Hieger, "Frank", Jonas Ruthenberg, Arie de Reus, Gerd Rundel, Manuel García Jara, Lance Jacobs, Stuart Moore, Bill Succolosky, Jürgen Vreugdenhil, Nigel Harrison, Nathaniel Nash and Sergio Mariano Romay for information and pictures.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, Columbia CS 9604 (USA for export), Jan 1968 onwards; Columbia PC 9604 (USA for export), 1980s:
Columbia CS 9604 (USA for export), Jan 1968 onwards:
Columbia CS 9604 (USA for export) - detail of rear with "Columbia" not
obscured, scan by Gerd Rundel (1960s release)
Gerd Rundel has a copy where the sleeve and record labels with CBS stickers are the same as Anton Wennbom's copy. The sleeve has “Printed in U.S.A.” on the rear and spine. The record of this copy has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1F, Side 2 - XSM135312-1F.
Columbia PC 9604 (USA for export), late 1970s/early 1980s:
Columbia PC 9604 (USA for export) - detail of rear with "Columbia" not
obscured, scan by Lars M. Banke (1980s release)
This late 1970s/early 1980s US copy bought in Sweden has "Columbia" still visible on the spine, but the Columbia logos at front top left and rear bottom right are covered by stickers with "SKIV GROSSISTEN [RECORD WHOLESALERS]" (in two words). "Columbia" at the bottom of the rear sleeve is not erased or covered with a sticker. The record labels have red ring-shaped stickers with the text "SKIVGROSSISTEN" now in one word in yellow. The record of this copy has (later) matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1AB, Side 2 - XSM135312-1AF.
Lars M. Banke says: "The sticker “Skivgrossisten” indicates that it is put on the label by the wholesale company that imports these records and sells them to retail shops. Why this wholesale company found it necessary to put the sticker on the discs, I do not know. Also I do not know why this one was not “stickered” like the other export copies – with CBS stickers or “neutral” stickers. The company “Skivgrossisten” was located in Skövde in Central Sweden and ceased trading in 2008. The purpose of the company was to “do retail business with music-related products like phonograms and other business in accordance herewith” [my translation]. A bit funny that it mentions retail business as the purpose when the name indicates wholesale business. “Skivgrossisten” was also in the 1970s the name of a (retail) record shop in Drottningsgatan in Stockholm. In fact it was a chain with three shops – mainly selling so-called “cut-out” LPs. So perhaps it is more likely that it was this “Skivgrossisten” shop who has put the sticker on the “Budokan” album? Or perhaps “Skivgrossisten” was one single company, meaning that the (mother) company in Skövde owned the three shops in Stockholm?"
Lars and Manuel García Jara have copies of Street-Legal and Bob Dylan At Budokan bought in Sweden with the same “Skivgrossisten” stickers on the rear sleeve and record labels.
Thanks to Manuel García Jara for information and to Anton Wennbom, Dr. Hanns Peter Bushoff, Gerd Rundel and Lars M. Banke for further information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo reel-to-reel tape releases, Columbia CQ 997 (USA)/Columbia HC 997 (USA), Jan 1968:
Columbia CQ 997 (USA) - tape
box spine scan by
Manuel García Jara
(7½ IPS release)
Columbia HC 997 (USA) - tape box spine
and top, scans by Steven Fant (3¾ IPS release)
The tape reels of the Columbia CQ series running at 7½ IPS have dark grey tape labels with black text - I have had to heighten the contrast considerably to make the text partially readable, although you can see the catalogue number; the tape reels of the Columbia HC series running at 3¾ IPS have white labels with black text, much more readable.
Thanks to Hans Seegers, Steven Fant and Manuel García Jara for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo 4-track tape cartridge, Columbia 14 10 0372 (USA), 1968:
The track running order has been changed to make both sides of equal length:
Program 1: John Wesley Harding; Dear Landlord; I am A Lonesome Hobo; The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest; I Pity The Poor Immigrant.
Program 2: As I Went Out One Morning; I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine; Drifter’s Escape; All Along The Watchtower; The Wicked Messenger; Down Along The Cove; I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight.
Thanks to Augie Krater for finding this on eBay and to Hans Seegers for further information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo 8-track tape cartridge, Columbia 18 10 0372 (USA), 1968:
Thanks to Stuart Moore for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo cassette releases, Columbia 16 10 0372 (USA), before 1971; Columbia PCT 9604 (USA), mid-1980s (two variants), late 1980s:
Columbia 16 10 0372 (USA), before 1971:
Columbia JCT 9604 (USA), 1970s:
More information about this release required! |
Columbia PCT 9604 (USA), mid/late-1980s (four variants):
Gerd Rundel has three copies I have called variants 1B, 2A and 2B that come with the same insert as mine, blank on the inside:
Variant 1B: the cassette is again light grey with black text and also has the inverted triangle on Side 1 introduced in 1985. "MADE IN USA" is again embossed at top right of Side 1. This cassette text layout is what I call design 2 - "Side One" and "Side Two" are printed at centre top above the track listing. "COLUMBIA STEREO CASSETTE" is printed where the side numbers are situated on design 1.
Variant 2A: the cassette is now a later style transparent smoked grey with white text printed directly on to it but the text layout has reverted to design 1. "MADE IN USA" is now embossed at top right of Side 2.
Variant 2B: the cassette is again transparent smoked grey with white text and the text layout is now design 2. "MADE IN USA" is again embossed at top right of Side 1.
It's possible that variants 1A and 1B (designs 1 and 2) were released at around the same time, but from different Columbia US manufacturing plants. If this were the case then they could have been superseded by variants 2A and 2B in the new case style, also released at around the same time.
Thanks to Steven Fant and Gerd Rundel for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP, Columbia CS 9604 (Canada), Jan 1968 to early 1970s; Columbia KCS 9604 (Canada), mid 1970s (two releases); Columbia WKCS 9604 (Canada), 1980s:
Columbia CS 9604 (Canada), Jan 1968 to early 1970s:
Columbia CS 9604 (Canada) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel (1968 release)
Columbia CS 9604 (Canada), early 1970s (two releases):
Columbia CS 9604 (Canada) - detail of rear, scan by Manuel García Jara (early 1970s releases
- "SHOREPAK CAN")
The spine is the same as the 1968 release, but there are several differences on the rear sleeve, which now has only the stereo catalogue number. The text at the bottom of the rear sleeve is different and includes the printer name, "SHOREPAK CAN". The record labels are still the "STEREO"/"360 SOUND" design, as well as but have the logo in white, a style used in Canada up to 1972. The company name on the labels is "COLUMBIA RECORDS OF CANADA". Columbia Records of Canada Ltd. was renamed CBS Records Canada Ltd. in late 1976, so this release is before then. The copy shown has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1H, Side 2 - XSM135312-1H. Gerd Rundel's CS 9604 copy dates from around 1972 and comes in the same sleeve as Manuel's. The record now has the new 1970s-style labels with yellow Columbia logos in a ring round the circumference. The labels still have catalogue number CS 9604 and "COLUMBIA RECORDS OF CANADA".
Columbia KCS 9604 (Canada), mid-1970s (two releases):
Columbia CS 9604 (Canada) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel (first
mid-1970s release
- "COLUMBIA RECORDS OF CANADA")
Columbia KCS 9604 (Canada) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel (second mid-1970s release - "CBS RECORDS CANADA")
The record labels are also the same except for the company name at the bottom - the first mid-1970s release has "COLUMBIA RECORDS OF CANADA LTD." and the second has "CBS RECORDS CANADA LTD." as shown. The records of Gerd Rundel's copies shown both have the same matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1G (stamped), Side 2 - XSM-135312-1C-2-HD (handwritten).
Columbia WKCS 9604 (Canada), 1980s:
Columbia WKCS 9604 (Canada)
- detail of rear, scan by Lars M. Banke (1980s release - "CBS RECORDS
CANADA")
Thanks to Gerd Rundel, Manuel García Jara, Marc Kuszel and Lars M. Banke for information and pictures.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP, Columbia KCS 9604 (Canada for export), 1970s:
The second has a much lighter sleeve with the Columbia logos on the front and rear obscured with black marker pen. The record itself has white ring-shaped stickers over the ring of Columbia logos round the circumference of the labels.
Columbia KCS 9604 (Canada) - detail of rear with "Columbia"
obscured, scan by
Lars M. Banke (second variant)
Columbia KCS 9604 (Canada) - detail of rear with "Columbia" obscured,
scan by Gerd Rundel (third variant - "CBS RECORDS CANADA")
Gerd Rundel's copy is different again in that it has "Columbia" obscured on the front and rear sleeve with black marker pen like the second copy, and the Columbia logos on the labels are obscured by black marker pen, not ring-shaped stickers. The record of this copy has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM-135311-2A-2ZDK, Side 2 - XSM 135312-1B plus "2-HD" opposite.
This KCS 9604 copy is different from the one above because “Columbia” at the bottom of the rear sleeve is not blacked out. The record of this copy has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 -XSM 135311 2 A 2 Z DK, Side 2 - CS 9604 A 135311 B. After "CS 9604" on Side 2 there is an “A + B” which is erased.
Thanks to Lars M. Banke and Gerd Rundel for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo 8-track tape cartridge, Columbia 18 10 0372 (Canada), 1968:
Columbia 18 10 0372 (Canada) - front of tape cartridge, picture from www.discogs.com |
This 8-track release again has four "programs" per tape. The cartridge is in white plastic with two labels. The copy shown is missing its slipcase. |
Columbia 18 10 0372 (Canada) - underside of tape cartridge, picture from www.discogs.com |
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo cassette release, Columbia 16 10 0372 (Canada), before 1971:
"John Wesley Harding" - test pressing and stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS SBPG 63252 (UK), 23 Feb 1968, reissued 1972:
CBS SBPG 63252 (UK) - front scan by Rene Jørgensen (1960s release) |
My copy of this album was stolen in May 1968, and I wasn't able to replace it at the time. Shown below right is an original flyer distributed by CBS in early February 1968 advertising Bob's new album. It portrays the original US Columbia stereo artwork, presumably the UK sleeve had not been finalised at the time of printing. |
CBS SBPG 63252 (UK) - test pressing front photo from www.tradera.com |
CBS SBPG 63252 (UK) - test pressing rear photo from www.tradera.com |
CBS SBPG 63252 (UK) - test pressing Side 1 photo from www.tradera.com (badly discoloured) |
CBS SBPG 63252 (UK) - front scan by Manuel García Jara (late 1970s release) |
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CBS SBPG 63252 (UK) - rear photo by Jean-Pierre Mercier showing red "STEREO" stamp (1960s release) |
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CBS SBPG 63252 (UK) - detail of rear with red "STEREO" stamp, scan by Rene Jørgensen (1960s release) |
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CBS Sbpg 63252 (UK) - Side 1 scan by Stuart Moore (1972 release) |
CBS Sbpg 63252 (UK) - detail of Side 1, scan by Stuart Moore (1972 release, "Sbpg 63252") |
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Thanks to "Jacktherabbit" for information about a CBS UK test pressing of SBPG 63252 for sale on a Scandinavian auction site. It comes in a white card sleeve with "Bob Dylan (Stereo Acetate)" handwritten on the front. The rear sleeve has a typewritten form with album and track information attached with badly discoloured tape, dated "12-21-67" (21 Dec 1967). The Side 1 record label shown has CBS stock labels with "ADVANCE COPY - NOT FOR SALE" and typewritten information in red and black. The label is again badly discoloured.
The commercial UK sleeve is laminated on the front only and was printed by the Upton Printing Group. The first UK stereo issues came with a white stereo/arrows sticker on the back of the sleeve. Emanuele Patrocco's copy has a gold foil sticker with "Stereo", Jean-Pierre Mercier's copy has a red stamp with the "Stereo/arrows" logo. Rene Jørgensen's copy with a red "STEREO" stamp has the first variant record labels and stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 -SBPG 63252 A1, Side 2 - SBPG 63252 B2. Gerd Rundel has a copy again with first variant record labels with the same matrix numbers as Rene's and where the red "STEREO" stamp is further to the right than Rene's or Jean-Pierre's.
This was the first CBS UK Dylan album where original record labels showed the playing speed to the left of the centre hole on the record labels as "33⅓" instead of "33". Henry V. Bell's copy shown has matrix numbers: Side 1 - SBPG 63252 A2, Side 2 - SPBG 63252 B1. On Henry V. Bell's 1968 copy all publisher credits are to B. Feldman & Co, Stuart Moore's copy from after 1972 has the publisher credits split between Big Ben Music Ltd. and B. Feldman & Co. Ltd., as does Manuel García Jara's late 1970s release (CBS UK still used the plain orange label style until The Basement Tapes in 1975).
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS SBPG 63252 (UK), mid-1970s (two variants):
CBS SBPG 63252/CBS S 63252/CBS
S BPG 63252/CBS
BPG
63252
(UK) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel (mid 1970s/late 1970s/early 1980s
variants)
Gerd's second mid 1970s variant comes in the same yellow tinted sleeve as already shown for the mid 1970s/late 1970s/early 1980s variants. This may be the forerunner of Manuel's 1977 mixed labels copy below (the Side 2 record label is the same). Both record labels have "Sbpg 63252" to the right of the centre hole. The labels still have "MADE IN ENGLAND" at the bottom. The song titles do not have track times. The record of the copy shown has stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - SBPG 63252 A2, Side 2 - SBPG 63252 B2.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS S 63252/CBS Sbpg 63252 (UK), around 1977:
Manuel García Jara's late 1970s release comes in the same sleeve as above but has mixed record labels. The catalogue number on the Side 1 record label is now "S 63252" while on the Side 2 record label it is still "Sbpg 63252". Strangely, The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest on Side 1 is listed on two lines like the plain orange CBS label releases above but wrongly titled "The Ballard Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest". The labels still have "MADE IN ENGLAND" at the bottom. The song titles on the Side 2 label do not have track times.
Gerd Rundel's alternate copy is a variant with “S 63252” on both labels and released at around the same time as Manuel's mixed labels copy. He dates both copies around 1977. The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest on the Side 1 label is again listed on two lines and wrongly titled "The Ballard Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest". The pale yellow sleeve is the same as listed for all the mid 1970s/late 1970s/early 1980s variants. The record of the copy shown has matrix numbers: Side 1 - SBPG 63252 A2 (stamped), Side 2 - CBS S 63252 B3 (handwritten).
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS S BPG 63252/CBS BPG 63252 (UK), late 1970s/early 1980s (four variants):
The records of all four variants shown have handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - CBS-S-63252-A-2, Side 2 - CBS S 63252 B3. The catalogue number of the mid 1980s copy release is "S BPG 63252" like that of the first of these variants.
Thanks to Manuel García Jara and Gerd Rundel for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases,
CBS 63252 (UK), mid 1980s
(four variants):
It appears this album did not have a catalogue
number change to "CBS 32xxx" around 1982 as did many other Bob Dylan albums.
Gerd Rundel's copy also comes in the second sleeve shown, but the record has different red CBS labels of an earlier design. The catalogue number to the right of the centre hole is just “BPG 63252” (the mono number) and the CBS copyright info is at the bottom of the labels. The record of this copy has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - CBS-S-63252-A-2, Side 2 - CBS S 63252 B3.
Michel Pomarede has a 1980s copy with a strong yellow front sleeve (like the
third variant shown above) but a white rear
sleeve as shown. The red CBS record labels are the same as those of Manuel
García Jara's copy with "S BPG
63252" and
"MADE IN ENGLAND" plus CBS copyright info in the circumference
text.
Michel Pomarede has a late 1980s transitional copy with a pale yellow front sleeve. The front sleeve has three stickers including a record shop price sticker for £3.99. The rear sleeve has a barcode sticker with the new catalogue number, "CBS 463359 1", as below. The record has the same red CBS labels as above with catalogue number "S BPG 63252" and "MADE IN ENGLAND" plus CBS copyright info in the circumference text.
Thanks to Wiebke Dittmer for finding the eBay copy and to Manuel García Jara, Gerd Rundel, Michel Pomarede and William Henry Prince for information and pictures.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP release, CBS 463359 1 (UK), late 1980s:
CBS 463359 1 (UK) - detail of rear,
scan by Gerd Rundel
On the late 1980s release the sleeve and record labels now have a new catalogue number, CBS 463359 1. The front sleeve is now grey again and has no CBS logo or catalogue number at top left. The rear sleeve is white with black text and has a barcode in the upper right hand corner. The record has red CBS labels with both "MADE IN ENGLAND" and the CBS copyright information in the circumference text. The copy shown has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - 463359 1 A3, Side 2 - 463359 1 B3.
There must be a 1990s Columbia release with the same catalogue number and red record labels - scans required.
Thanks to Gerd Rundel for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo 180gm vinyl LP release, Columbia/Simply Vinyl 63252 (UK), 1999:
Columbia/Simply Vinyl
63252 (UK) - detail of rear, scan by Ronald Born
This album comes in a clear plastic sleeve with a "Simply Vinyl" sticker as for other heavyweight vinyl releases by this company. The front sleeve has a Columbia logo without a catalogue number and the "STEREO"/arrows logo at top centre. The rear sleeve has a barcode at top right. The record has orange Columbia labels with the "LC|0162" Columbia Records EU Label Code to the left of the centre hole.
Thanks to Ronald Born for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo cassette releases, CBS
40-63252 (UK), 1970s (two releases); CBS 463359 4 (UK), 1989; CBS/Columbia
463359 4 (UK), early 1990s:
David Burgess has a Jun 1970 CBS UK leaflet advertising the release of
Self Portrait
that lists an 8-track stereo tape cartridge CBS 42-63252. Ronald Born has a CBS UK catalogue from 1974-75 that
also lists it. Scans required!
CBS 40-63252 (UK), 1970s (three releases):
CBS 40-63252 (UK) - spine of cassette box, scan by Steven Fant (first 1970s release,
closed side)
CBS 40-63252 (UK) - spine of cassette box, scan by Steven Fant (first 1970s release,
open side)
The second UK cassette release has a folded insert inside the usual plastic case and the same cassette as that of the first release. The third UK cassette release, also from the 1970s, has a much shorter insert. The cassette now has blue text printed directly on to it, there are no paper labels.
CBS 463359 4 (UK), 1989; CBS/Columbia 463359 4 (UK), early 1990s:
Paul Shenton's early 1990s copy still has the same CBS insert as Manuel's late 1980s copy, although the album cover on the front is much paler. The insert of the insert is as the 1989 release. The cassette is quite different, and is now Columbia. It has a transparent smoked grey case with white text, there are again no paper labels.
Thanks to Dr. Walter Roedl, Tom Willems, Manuel García Jara, Steven Fant and Paul Shenton for information and pictures.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP release, CBS SBPG 63252 (Ireland), late 1970s/early 1980s:
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS S 63252 (NL), Feb 1968, re-released mid-1970s (four releases)/early 1980s/mid-1980s; CBS 463359 1 (NL), late 1980s; Columbia 463359 1 (NL), 1991 (twice):
CBS S 63252 (NL), Feb 1968 (three sleeve variants):
CBS S 63252
(NL) - detail of front, scan by
Rene
Kejlskov Jørgensen (1968 releases variants 1 and 2 and 1970s release -
1968 variant 3 release has the same logos)
Sergio Marianio Romay has a 1968 copy with no “B” in a circle on the rear sleeve at top right as shown (variant 2). It again has no folded-over flaps. The front sleeve and record labels are exactly the same as those of Rene Kejlskov Jørgensen’s copy. The record of this copy has stamped UK matrix numbers: Side 1 - “SBPG 63252 A1”, Side 2 - “SBPG 63252 B1” (almost illegible).
Manuel García Jara has a Dutch release of 1968 where the record has stamped UK matrix number "SBPG 63252 A1" on Side 1 only, there are no matrix numbers on Side 2. Michel Pomarede's copy bought in France has a unique gold front sleeve (variant 3) and a rear sleeve with two folded-over flaps. Michel's record has the same orange CBS labels as shown but it has no matrix numbers.
All three rear sleeves shown have "S63232" under the CBS logo at top right with the "S" in a different typeface from the numbers. This is as far as I know unique to Holland.
Both Yme Hoeksma has a Dutch copy with the CBS S 63252 sleeve and record labels but which actually plays Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits! This is presumably the Dutch version of the UK Greatest Hits release, CBS S 62847. I have not seen this reported elsewhere.
CBS S 63252 (Spain for NL), 1973:
Although I've dated this release as 1973, it can be dated between 1973 (when CBS opened its own pressing plant in Spain) and 1976 (when CBS started to use orange/yellow labels as below). The record of this copy has UK matrix numbers - Side 1: SBPG 63252 A2, Side 2 - SBPG 63252 B1.
CBS S 63252 (NL), mid 1970s (four sleeve variants):
Lars M. Banke has two further copies of this release where the record has the same labels as Gerd's but the rear sleeve now has different codes at top right. The rear sleeve of the first copy has "CB|271" on a sticker at top right with "54" in a circle below it (I suspect the sticker covers the "Y" in a circle on Simon's copy). Lars has a second copy with a promo stamp "FOR PROMOTION ONLY/NOT FOR SALE/CBS RECORDS SWEDEN" on the rear sleeve. The rear sleeve of this copy now has "CB|271" printed at top right, with "57" in a circle.
CBS S 63252 (NL), mid 1980s:
CBS S
63252 (NL) - detail of front, scan by Gerd Rundel
(mid 1980s release)
CBS S
63252 (NL) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel
(mid 1980s release)
CBS S
63252 (NL) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel
(mid 1980s release)
The sleeve is an unlisted variant with “CB|271” and “57” at rear top right, also the text at rear bottom left is now missing. The record of the copy shown has matrix numbers: Side 1 - 01-63252-1A-1 (stamped), Side 2 - 01-63252-3B-1 (handwritten).
CBS 463359 1 (NL), late 1980s:
The sleeve (front and rear) and inner sleeve are exactly the same as the first 1991 release listed below except for the “Dylan Originals” sticker on the front. There is no front logo or stereo information. Both the sticker and the inner sleeve date from 1991, although the record has red CBS labels and dates from the late 1980s before CBS in Europe became Columbia. The copy of the record shown has matrix numbers: Side 1 - 01-63252-1A-1 (stamped), Side 2 - 01-63252-3B-1 (handwritten).
Columbia 463359 1 (NL), 1991 (two releases):
The record of this copy comes in a generic 1991 "Dylan Originals" "Nice Price" sleeve with details of other albums in the series. The copy shown has matrix numbers: Side 1 - 01-63252-1A-1 (stamped), Side 2 - 01-63252-3B-1 (handwritten).
Columbia
463359 1 (NL) - detail of front, scan by Gerd
Rundel (first 1991 release without text)
Columbia
463359 1 (NL) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel (first
1991 release - still "CBS" information)
Columbia
463359 1 (NL) - detail of front, scan by Wiebke
Dittmer (second 1991 release with top line text)
Columbia
463359 1 (NL) - detail of rear, scan by Wiebke
Dittmer (second 1991 release - "Columbia" information)
Thanks to Gerd Rundel, Manuel García Jara, Rene Kejlskov Jørgensen, Wiebke Dittmer, Lars M. Banke, Michel Pomarede, Yme Hoeksma, Sergio Mariano Romay, Leon de Laat and Simon Blokker for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo cassette
releases,
CBS/Columbia
463359 4 (NL), early 1990s:
There must be Dutch CBS cassette releases - scans required!
The front of the CBS insert is similar to that of the 1989 UK release, but the outside of the insert differs from the UK version. There is a different track sequence - The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest is track 3 on Side 2 instead of track 5 on Side 1, and I Pity The Poor Immigrant is track 5 on Side 1 instead of track 3 on Side 2. On the spine the CBS logo is printed vertically, at the bottom of the spine the logos "Chrome Tape", "Dolby System" and a barcode were added. On the inside of the insert "BIEM/STEMRA" is added, and the copyright info reads "(P) 1973 CBS Inc/Manufactured by CBS Records/CBS is a Trademark of the Columbia Broadcasting System Inc/NL printed in Holland". The cassette is black with dark red Columbia paper labels, dated "1968" and has "Made in Holland" on each side.
Paul Shenton's later copy now has a different Columbia insert. The cassette is clear with red Columbia labels with the same text as before. Paul points out that both sides are timed at 19:20 on the cassette labels, but Side 1 is actually 19:11, Side 2 is correct at 19:20.
Ger Hemel has a 1990s Columbia copy bought separately but which was part of a Two Originals multi-pack with Highway 61 Revisited. It has a new catalogue number, Columbia 463831 4, and the cassette sides are numbered 3 and 4. For details of the CD equivalent Columbia 463831 2 see International Album Releases (Multi-Packs) 1990s.
Thanks to Pierre van der Pol and Paul Shenton for information and pictures.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP release, CBS S 63 252 (West Germany), Feb 1968:
CBS S 63 252 (West Germany) - front scan by Gerd Rundel (no overprinted text or sticker) |
The front sleeve of Tim Norford's copy of this release has German
text "mit
Großplakat [with large poster]" overprinted in the top right hand
corner. The poster was the one by Milton Glaser given away in the USA with the
1967 compilation Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits, illustrated on the index page
for Part 1. Leon de Laat has a 1968 Dutch copy with a German front sticker with text "MIT Super POSTER IN FARBE [WITH Super POSTER IN COLOUR]". This must have been exported to West Germany. Gerd Rundel's copy does not have the overprinting or the poster. The sleeve and record were made in West Germany. The record has orange CBS labels (the labels of both copies shown are identical) and Gerd Rundel's copy has US matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM135311-1F (handwritten), Side 2 - XSM135312-1J (stamped). Gerd's copy comes in a CBS Germany inner sleeve with a cut-out on the front showing the Side 1 label, and details of contemporary CBS German releases front and back. |
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CBS S 63 252 (West Germany) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel |
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CBS S 63 252 (West Germany) - inner sleeve front with cut-out showing Side 1 label, scan by Gerd Rundel |
CBS S 63 252 (West Germany) - inner sleeve rear scan by Gerd Rundel |
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CBS S 63 252 (West Germany) - Side 2 scan by Hanns Peter Bushoff (promo release) |
CBS S 63 252 (West Germany) - detail of Side 2 with stamp, scan by Hanns Peter Bushoff (promo release - "Ungeprüftes Muster [Untested Sample]") |
CBS S 63 252 (West Germany) - Side 1 scan by Gerd Rundel (commercial release) |
CBS S 63 252 (West Germany) - detail of Side 1, scan by Gerd Rundel (commercial release, promo release has the same "MADE IN GERMANY" text) |
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Dr, Hanns Peter Bushoff has a promo copy in the same sleeve as Gerd's copy without the overprinting or the poster. The record has white promo labels with "Unverkäufliche Musterplatte [Sample Record Not For Sale]" printed on both sides to the right of the centre hole. There is a purple stamp on Side 2 with text "Ungeprüftes Muster [Untested Sample]".
Thanks to Gerd Rundel, Tim Norford, Leon de Laat and Dr. Hanns Peter Bushoff for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS S 63.252 (France), Feb 1968 (three variants):
This album has a sleeve with printed "STEREO/MONO"/arrows logos on front and back. The sleeve was printed by J. Colombet in Paris XV, France.
Gerd Rundel's copy (variant 1, released in 1968) has two folded-over flaps on the rear sleeve and no "U" next to the CBS logo. On the rear it has CBS copyright information in French at bottom left, and catalogue number at top right, and an "F" printed vertically at bottom right. Lars M. Banke has two variant 1 copies, one is fully laminated, and the other is laminated on the front only. The record has orange CBS labels with a "STEREO/MONO" logo with arrows and three matrix numbers on each side: Side 1 - YP AR TX 60789 S 63252 A M6 257589, Side 2 - Y PAR TX 60790 S 63252 B M6 257590 (the "YP AR" on Side 1 and "Y PAR" on Side 2 are correct). On Side 1 The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest is mistitled "The Ball Dof Frankie Lee And Judas Priest".
Jérémie Viala's copy (variant 2) has no folded-over flaps on the rear sleeve and no "U" in a circle next to the CBS logo at top right. As far as I know this sleeve is fully laminated. The record labels have the same "STEREO/MONO" logo without arrows as that of variant 3 and the same mistake on Side 1. The matrix numbers are the same as Gerd's copy.
Rene Jørgensen's copy (variant 3) has no folded-over flaps on the rear sleeve and a "U" in a circle next to the CBS logo at top right. As far as I know this sleeve is again fully laminated. The record labels have the same "STEREO/MONO" logo without arrows as variant 2 and the same mistake on Side 1. The matrix numbers are again the same as Gerd's copy.
Thanks to Rene Jørgensen, Gerd Rundel and Jérémie Viala for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo/mono vinyl LP releases, CBS S 63252 (Italy), 14 Feb 1968, reissued 18 Mar 1969, mid-1970s and late 1970s:
CBS S
63252 (Italy) - detail of rear, scan by Hans Seegers (all releases)
The 1968 and 1969 records have orange CBS labels. Lars M. Banke's 1968 copy has suffered water damage on the rear sleeve and the Side 1 record label is faded compared with the Side 2 label. The white marks in the upper left corner of the front sleeve are remains of a label with the original owner's name or initials. The record has orange CBS labels with "MADE IN ITALY BY CBS SUGAR" in the circumference text at top right. There is no “MADE IN ITALY” at the bottom of the labels. The matrix numbers of this copy are: Side 1 - 63252 1L C 1 XSM 135311,Side 2 - 63 252 2L C 1 XSM 135312.
Hans Seegers' 1968 copy comes in the same sleeve but has different orange CBS labels. These have completely different circumference text and “MADE IN ITALY” at the bottom of the labels as shown. The record of the 1969 release had the same labels.
The record labels of the 1968 release variant 2 copy shown have stamps with Italian text "DISCO DESTINATO ALL'ESPORTAZIONE [DISC INTENDED FOR EXPORT]" - I have as yet no idea where it was intended to be sent, perhaps Yugoslavia.
The front sleeve of the 1969 and mid-1970s releases has printed Italian text in a rectangle on the right. This translates as "CONTAINS DRIFTER'S ESCAPE, WINNING SONG IN 'BANDIERA GIALLA'". "Bandiera Gialla [Yellow Flag]" was an Italian radio music programme which ran from 1965-70.
The mid-1970s record was pressed by CBS Sugar in Italy and has orange/yellow CBS labels. The copy shown has matrix numbers: Side 1 - S CI 63252 ◊ 1L 26/7/71 (stamped), XSM 135311/2 (handwritten), Side 2 - S CI 63252 ◊ 2L 26/7/71 (stamped), XSM 135311/2 (handwritten). "26/7/71" (26 Jul 1971) may be the mastering date, but it is certainly not the release date, because this label style was not used till the mid-1970s. Sergio Mariano Romay's late 1970s copy comes in exactly the same sleeve with the "Bandiera Gialla [Yellow Flag]" printing on the front. The record has exactly the same matrix numbers as the mid-1970s record but the labels have a slight difference at the bottom. "MADE IN ITALY BY CBS SUGAR" has been replaced by just "MADE IN ITALY BY CBS" but the text is still aligned as if "SUGAR" were present. These labels are similar to those of other Italian late 1970s releases.
Thanks to Enrico Porro and "Beppe" for information and to Hans Seegers and Sergio Mariano Romay for further information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS S 63252 (Greece/NL), 1968(?); CBS S 63252 (Greece), 1969; CBS 463359 1 (Greece), late 1980s:
CBS S 63252 (Greece/NL), 1968(?):
CBS S 63252
(Greece) - detail of rear, scan by Lars M. Banke
(1968 release - pickup information at top left)
CBS S 63252
(Greece) - detail of rear, scan by Lars M. Banke
(1968 release) - CBS copyright information and Greek information at bottom left
including printer code "MT 4963",
pickup information at bottom right
The sleeves of these Greek releases had a printer code "MT 49xx" on the rear sleeve at bottom right. In this series of releases John Wesley Harding was "MT 4963" (Highway 61 Revisited was "MT 4962" but Blonde On Blonde for some reason was "MT 4968/69"). This is the last Greek album I've found with an "MT 49xx" code on the rear.
CBS S 63252 (Greece), 1969:
CBS S 63252
(Greece) - detail of rear, scan by
Manuel García Jara (1969
release) - no pickup information at top left
CBS S 63252
(Greece) - detail of rear, scan by
Manuel García Jara (1969 release) -
CBS copyright information at bottom left, Greek information at bottom right
including printer code "MT 4963", no pickup information
This album was re-released in early 1969, still distributed by Diski CBS A.E.B.E., and was the first Dylan album made entirely in Greece. The sleeve has an identical front, but the rear is very different - there is no information about the pickup requirements at top left or bottom right. The Greek copyright is now at bottom right aligned to the right. The record labels have the Dutch design but they have "MADE IN GREECE" in the circumference text. The record of this copy has a UK matrix number on Side 1 - SBPG 63252 A1 (stamped) and the infinity symbol (handwritten) on Side 2.
CBS 463359 1 (Greece), late 1980s:
CBS
463359 1 (Greece) - detail of rear, scan by Lars M. Banke
(late 1980s release, possibly Dutch sleeve)
Thanks to Lars M. Banke for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP, CBS YS-948-C (Japan), Jun 1968:
CBS YS-948-C (Japan) - front with obi, picture from www.discogs.com (1968 release) |
CBS YS-948-C was the last Japanese CBS release before Sony took over the company, and is the only Japanese CBS release that uses the regular front sleeve! The rear sleeve includes Bob's sleeve notes in English. The obi is missing from Hans Seegers' copy shown. |
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CBS YS-948-C (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers (1968 test pressing) |
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CBS YS-948-C (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers (1968 commercial release) |
The promo records have white labels with Japanese characters indicating a promo, the commercial records have orange CBS labels. Also shown is a test pressing with plain white labels just rubber stamped with the catalogue number and a two red Japanese characters on Side 2.
Thanks to Hans Seegers and Scott Smith for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP reissues, CBS/Sony SONP-50140 (Japan), late 1969; CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan), 1974; CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan), 1976-77:
CBS/Sony SONP-50140 (Japan), 1969:
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan), mid 1974:
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - front with top obi, scan by Wil Gielen (mid 1974 release) |
This release has a beige top obi with price ¥2,000 and a
voucher to send of for the limited edition rarities album Mr D's Collection
#1 (see 1974) or a Dylan photo book. This
obi can also be found with a sticker for ¥2,200 over the ¥2,000 price (dating
from late 1974/early 1975) and with a printed price of ¥2,200 with no voucher
(also dating from late 1974/early 1975 - not shown). The promo copy now has black/white
labels and the commercial copy has the regular orange/cream labels. There is a Japanese language booklet and the record comes in a CBS/Sony Japan "BOB DYLAN" inner sleeve with details of all his Japanese releases. |
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CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - detail of top obi, scan by Wil Gielen (mid 1974 release with ¥2,000 price) |
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CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - booklet front scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - booklet rear scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - detail of booklet front, scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
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CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - top obi scan by Wil Gielen (mid 1974 release with price ¥2,000 and voucher cut out) |
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - top obi scan by Wil Gielen (mid 1974 release with ¥2,200 stickers) |
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CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - rear scan by Sergio Mariano Romay (mid 1974 release with ¥2,200 stickers on top obi and rear) |
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - detail of rear, scan by Wil Gielen (mid 1974 release with ¥2,000 price) |
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - detail of rear, scan by Sergio Mariano Romay (mid 1974 release with ¥2,200 sticker) |
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - top obi scan by Sergio Mariano Romay (mid 1974 release with ¥2,200 stickers and voucher cut) |
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CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - inner sleeve front scan by Sergio Mariano Romay |
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CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Wil Gielen (1974 promo release) |
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - Side 2 scan by Wil Gielen (1974 promo release) |
CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Wil Gielen (mid 1974 commercial release) |
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CBS/Sony SOPL-226 (Japan) - detail of inner sleeve rear, scan by Sergio
Mariano Romay
Sergio Mariano Romay's copy has an obi with two ¥2,200 stickers and the voucher cut out. There is also a ¥2,200 sticker on the rear sleeve covering the printed price of ¥2,000. The record has stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - SOPL – 226 A1 1 A 6, Side B - SOPL – 226 B2 1 A 4.
CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan), 1976-1977:
This release has a vertical side obi with three variants:
CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - front of 1976 release with dark red vertical obi, picture from www.eil.com |
The price was ¥2,500 as indicated by the new style catalogue number. All three releases had an 8-page stapled booklet in English and Japanese. Promo copies have black/white labels and commercial copies have the regular orange/cream labels. The record of the early 1977 commercial copy shown has matrix numbers: Side 1 - 25AP-277A1, Side 2 - 25AP-277B1. |
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CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - front of late 1977 release with brown vertical obi with tour dates, scan by Manuel García Jara |
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CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - rear of early 1977 release obi, scan by Manuel García Jara |
CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - detail of front of early 1977 release obi, scan by Manuel García Jara |
CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - detail of front, scan by Manuel García Jara (all releases) |
CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - detail of rear, scan by Manuel García Jara (all releases) |
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CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - rear of early 1977 release with obi, scan by Manuel García Jara |
CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - front of booklet, scan by Manuel García Jara (all releases) |
CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - Side 1 scan by Manuel García Jara (all commercial releases) |
CBS/Sony 25AP 277 (Japan) - Side 2 scan by Manuel García Jara (all commercial releases) |
Thanks to Hans Seegers, Wil Gielen and Manuel García Jara for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP, CBS SBP 233498 (Australia),
1968, reissued late 1960s and 1970s:
For the equivalent mono album, see Mono Album Releases.
The record of the mid 1970s copy shown has matrix numbers: Side 1 - MX154701 SBP233498-2, Side 2 - A MX154702-B SBP233498-1. The record of the late 1970s copy shown has matrix numbers: Side 1 - A MX154701-B SBP233498-1, Side 2 - A MX154702-B SBP233498-2.
Thanks to Stuart Moore, Rowland Ford and Peter Lindberg for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo cassette release, CBS PC 498 (Australia), 1970s (twice):
Thanks to Stuart Moore for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP
releases, CBS SBP 473489 (New
Zealand),
1968; CBS SBP 474239 (New
Zealand), 1974
and late 1970s:
I understand there was a New Zealand mono
release CBS BP 473489, scans required!
CBS SBP 473489 (New Zealand), 1968:
CBS SBP 474239 (New
Zealand), 1974, re-released
late 1970s:
The second 1960s release (CBS SBP 474279) was manufactured by Phonogram in New Zealand on behalf of CBS Records and has a conventional CBS logo on the front without the stereo/arrows logo. The label design for CBS SBP 474279 is completely different from that of the first release CBS 473489. The record for the late 1970s release has new design orange/yellow CBS labels and was also made in New Zealand.
Thanks to Les Kokay, Stuart Moore, Bill Hester and Phoenix C for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP, CBS CS 9604 (Singapore/Malaysia), 1968:
Gerd Rundel has a copy of the Singapore/Malaysia release with "CBS" printed over the Columbia logos on the front and rear sleeve and record labels with a third CBS logo replacing the top Columbia logo. The record labels are similar to the fourth 1960s US style (see above), with no arrows on either side of the white "STEREO/360° SOUND" logo and no copyright information at the bottom. However, they also have "NONBREAKABLE" to the left of the centre hole. The record of this copy has handwritten matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM 135311, Side 2 - XSM 135312. The front sleeve has a green tinge and there is a red stamp of some kind on the rear sleeve. CBS had a record pressing facility in Singapore from 1967, so records after that were sourced locally.
Lars M. Banke has two copies in the same sleeve where the records have the same labels. The record of one of the copies has matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM 135311 (handwritten), Side 2 - XSM 135312 (stamped) plus A 183* (stamped) about 1cm away; the record of the other copy has stamped matrix numbers:: Side 1 - XSM 135311, Side 2 - XSM 135312 and no "A 183*" on Side 2.
Thanks to Hans Seegers, Gerd Rundel and Lars M. Banke for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, Columbia/CBS CS 9604 (Philippines), 1968-69
(two variants):
For the equivalent mono album, see Mono Album Releases.
Columbia/CBS CS 9604 (Philippines) - detail of rear, scan by Arie de Reus
(both label variants, US information)
The record has orange CBS labels. There are two label variants. The first has two songs listed above the centre hole on Side 1 and one song above the centre hole on Side 2. The second has text in a different smaller type face and no songs listed above the centre hole on Side 1 or side 2.
Three confusing copies are shown, all in the same sleeve:
Copy 1 is owned by Arie de Reus and has a variant 1 Side 1 label but a variant 2 Side 2 label! This copy has matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM 135311-1F (handwritten), Side 2 - XSM 135312-1J (stamped).
Copy 2 is owned by Lars M. Banke and has the record labels the other way round! Side 1 is variant 2 and Side 2 is variant 1. The matrix numbers are again: XSM 135311-1F (hand-written) and XSM 135311-1J (stamped).
Copy 3 is owned by Joe Hancock and has both labels as variant 2. I have not yet seen a copy with two variant 1 labels.
Thanks to Arie de Reus, Joe Hancock and Lars M. Banke for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS S 63252 (Israel), 1968:
CBS S 63252 (Israel) - detail of rear, scan by Hans Seegers (variant 1
without "IL" on right)
CBS S 63252 (Israel) - detail of rear, scan by Gerd Rundel (variant 2
with "IL" on right)
The fragile sleeve has three folded-over flaps. It is laminated on the front but not the rear. There is no country of origin on the sleeve of Hans Seegers' copy, but the record was made in Israel. The record itself is of heavy vinyl and has orange CBS labels with stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - SBPG 63252 A2, Side 2 - SBPG 63252 B2.
The sleeve of Gerd Rundel's copy looks the same as that of Hans' copy but it has “IL” (Israel) printed vertically at rear bottom right above the bottom flap. This label variant comes with “STEREO/MONO” arrows to the right of the centre hole. The stamped matrix numbers are the same as those of Hans' copy.
Thanks to Hans Seegers and Gerd Rundel for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo
vinyl LP releases, CBS ASF 1228 (South Africa),
1968 (twice), reissued 1978:
For the equivalent mono album (1968 only), see Mono Album Releases.
CBS ASF 1228 (South Africa) - detail of
rear, scan by Lars M. Banke (third release, copyrighted 1978)
The third release has a similar sleeve to the second release sleeve, with no folded-over flaps, with a "76" above the Interpak printer's logo at bottom right and a copyright line including a 1978 date. The third release record has orange/yellow CBS labels.
Thanks to Manuel García Jara, Lars M. Banke and Omer Nuriel for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS ASF 1228 (Rhodesia), late 1970s; CBS ASF 1228 (Zimbabwe), late 1980s:
The record has white CBS labels with blue text and the CBS logos in a box, a style which dates from the late 1970s. It was re-released in the late 1980s in what was now Zimbabwe in the same sleeve but with different record labels with a red CBS logo, now with a 1978 copyright date.
Thanks to Lars M. Banke and Gerd Rundel for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP releases, CBS S 63252 (Spain), Nov 1970, re-released Jul 1971, 1975, 1976, 1978; CBS 463359 1 (Spain), 1989:
CBS S 63252 (Spain), Nov 1970, re-released Jul 1971:
The Discos CBS address is Calle Princesa 1, Madrid-13. The records were in an inner sleeve with the song lyrics in English. The sleeves were printed in Spain by Offset ALG, Madrid.
The first release of the album in 1968 was in mono only and manufactured by Discophon of Barcelona on behalf of CBS. It is very rare, for more details see Mono Album Releases.
CBS S
63252 (Spain) - detail of rear, scan by Manuel García Jara (1970 COFASA
release - Discos
CBS address is "Calle Princesa 1, Madrid-13")
CBS S 63252 (Spain), ca. 1975:
CBS S
63252 (Spain) - detail of rear, scan by Lars M.
Banke (ca. 1975
release - Discos
CBS address is still "Calle Princesa 1,
Madrid-13")
CBS S 63252 (Spain), 1976:
CBS S
63252 (Spain) - detail of rear, scan by Manuel
García Jara (1976 release - wrong copyright dates,
Discos CBS address is "Avenida
del
Generalísimo 25, Madrid-16")
CBS S
63252 (Spain), 1978 (two variants):
CBS S
63252 (Spain) - detail of rear, scan by Manuel
García Jara (1978 releases - copyright dates deleted,
Discos CBS address is still "Avenida
del
Generalísimo 25, Madrid-16")
CBS 463359 1 (Spain), 1989:
CBS 463359 1 (Spain)
- detail of rear, scan by Manuel García Jara (1989 release
- Discos CBS
address is now "Paseo de la Castellana 93,
28046-Madrid")
Thanks to
Juan B. Heinink, Manuel García Jara, Stuart
Moore, Lars M. Banke and
Peter Oudejans
for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo cassette release, CBS 40-63252 (Spain), 1973:
Thanks to Manuel García Jara for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP, CBS 63252 (Portugal), mid-1970s:
Thanks to Hans Seegers and Sergio Mariano Romay for further information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo vinyl LP, CBS/Suzy S 63252 (Yugoslavia), 1982:
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo cassette release, CBS/Suzy 40-63252 (Yugoslavia), 1982:
Thanks to Tom Willems and Manuel García Jara for information and scans.
"John Wesley Harding" - stereo white vinyl release, Columbia CS 9604/19439797571 (Europe), 2017, re-released 22 Jan 2021:
Columbia/Sony Music
19439797571 (Europe)
-
detail of rear,
scan by Gerd Rundel
This 2017 European release was a limited edition on white vinyl, made in the
EU. Original information that it was in mono was incorrect.
Thanks to
Éamonn Ó Catháin
for information that this album was re-released, again on white vinyl, on 22
Jan 2021. Éamonn's 2021 record has stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - 20888 1A
88985451691, Side 2 - 20888 1B 88985451691.
Thanks to Gerd Rundel for information and scans.
CD Releases
Because of the length of this page, John Wesley Harding CD releases are now here. |
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