The Wailers – Catch A Fire SW-9329, 1st Winchester Pressing, Zippo, US, 1973

$

550

THE WAILERS – “CATCH A FIRE”
Label: Island Records – SW-9329 (Capitol Records, Winchester)
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Zippo lighter cover
Country: USA
Released: 1973
Genre: Reggae
Style: Roots Reggae 💿 DESCRIPTION Historic first U.S. pressing of the landmark Bob Marley & The Wailers album, issued in the original “Zippo lighter” mechanical sleeve—a high-cost design used only for the debut run before being discontinued. Pressed and distributed by Capitol Records under early Island partnership.
Includes the classics Concrete Jungle, Stir It Up, and Slave Driver. Recorded in Jamaica and produced by Bob Marley & Chris Blackwell. 💎 CONDITION VINYL: EXCELLENT (EX) to NEAR MINT (NM) COVER: VERY GOOD (VG) (moderate edge wear and surface scuffs typical for this fragile Zippo construction; hinge fully functional and lid aligns correctly. creasing near rivet and spine edge) 🧾 NOTES FOR COLLECTORS

• Authentic first U.S. issue with functional Zippo lighter sleeve, printed by AGI (Album Graphics, Inc.).

• Label variation: early Sunrise / Palm Tree Island design with orange rim and lower text:
  “AVAILABLE FROM CAPITOL RECORDS – 1750 N. VINE, HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.”
  — used exclusively during Island’s 1973 Capitol distribution phase.

• Pressing plant: Capitol Records Winchester, identified by the “—◁” rifle symbol etched in the run-out.

• Lacquer cuts: F-series mastering (F5/F6), early generation lacquers from initial production run.

• Recorded in Jamaica; ℗ 1973 Island Records Ltd.

• Original heavy cardboard Zippo gatefold features inner black-and-white photo of The Wailers walking from the stone steps at Hope Road, Kingston.

This configuration (Winchester pressing, F5/F6 matrix pair, Capitol-rim label, and functional Zippo sleeve) is universally recognized as the definitive U.S. first pressing. Surviving examples with working hinges are scarce and command high collector value.

• Side 1: SW-1-9329-F5 —◁

• Side 2: SW-2-9329-F6 —◁

• Label color: blue-sky background with yellow sun rays, green palm tree over ocean, “ISLAND” in bold yellow letters.

• Rim text: “Available from Capitol Records, 1750 N. Vine, Hollywood, Calif.”

• Rights society: ASCAP

• Producers: Bob Marley & Chris Blackwell