Vinyl pressings
by All Star Band · 1939
Blue Lou / The Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1939. 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 1939, the album's first year, in 3 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.
26144A 2Side A, Runout [Variant 1]
26144B 1Side B, Runout [Variant 1]
C 26144A 2Side A, Runout, Stamped [Variant 2]
C 26144B 1Side B, Runout, Stamped [Variant 2]
2 G 26144ASide A stamped
1 C 26144BSide B stamped
26144-ASide A label
26144-BSide B label
26144A 2Side A, Runout, Stamped
26144B 1Side B, Runout, Stamped
OA031445-2Side A
OA031446-1Side B
OA031445 MV22166Side A runout
OA031446 MV22167Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Argentina | Victor 26144First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1939 | Australia | His Master's Voice E.A. 2306First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1939 | Australia | His Master's Voice E.A. 2306First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1939 | US | Victor 26144First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1939 | US | Victor 26144First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | UK | His Master's Voice B.8896Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | La Voix De Son Maître K-8329Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor 26144Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | France | Disque "Gramophone" K-8329Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | RCA Victor 27-011410", 78 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 10", 78 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Blue Lou / The Blues are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1939 and 1948.
The earliest pressings are from 1939, in US, Argentina, Australia. One of them is Victor 26144.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 26144, E.A. 2306) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 26144A 2 and 26144B 1. 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.
