Vinyl pressings
by Arthur Conley · 1968
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da / Otis Sleep On was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
68-C-15812-4 LW AT W [SRC logo]A-side runout, variant 1
68-C-13848 - 3 LW AT W [SRC logo]B-side runout, variant 1
68-C-15812-3 LW AT W [SRC logo]A-side runout, variant 2
68-C-13848-2 LW AT PC W [SRC logo]B-side runout, variant 2
68-C-15812-14 LW ATRunout A, etched
68-C-13848-14 AT WRunout B, etched
68C-15812-PLLabel side A
68C-13848-PLLabel side B
68-C-15812-5 (MR) .AT △74350 WRunout A, etched [except stamped: (MR]
68-C-13848 - 21 (MR) LW AT △74349 KG WRunout B, etched [except stamped: (MR]
68C-15812-MOSide A label
68C-13848-MOSide B label
68-C-15812-14 LW ATA Side Runout (Etched)
68-C-13848-14 AT WB Side Runout (Etched)
68C-15812-PL
68C-13848-PL
68-C-15812-4 LW AT W [SRC logo]A side runout
68-C-13848 - 3 LW AT W [SRC logo]B side runout
68-C-15812 SPA side label
68-C-13848 SPB side label
68-C-15812-MOA Side Label
68-C-13848-MOB Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Atlantic AK-2738First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Canada | ATCO Records ATCO 6640XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Costa Rica | Atlantic 6640First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | ATCO Records ATCO 83 / ATCO Records ATCO-83First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | ATCO Records ATCO-83First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | ATCO Records ATCO 83 / ATCO Records ATCO-83First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Atlantic Atl. 70 346 / Atlantic Atl. 70.346First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Mexico | Atlantic AT-0941First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Nigeria | Atlantic ATL 105First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Sweden | Atlantic ATL 70.346First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6640First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6640First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6640First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6640First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6640First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Atlantic 250187", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | ATCO Records 45-66407", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single |
22 vinyl pressings of Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da / Otis Sleep On are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and more. One of them is ATCO Records 45-6640.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-6640, AK-2738, ATCO 6640X, 6640) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 68-C-15812-4 LW AT W [SRC logo] and 68-C-13848 - 3 LW AT W [SRC logo]. 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.
