Vinyl pressings
by B. A. Robertson · 1981
Hold Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
BAM1 A1 TOWNHOUSE W-36 B.A.ROBERTSON A-1 J.H. HOLD MERunout side A variant 1
B.A.ROBERTSON W-35 BAM1 B1 SPRING GREENS J.H. TOWNHOUSERunout side B variant 1
BAM 1 A1 B.A.ROBERTSON A̶-̶1̶ J.H. "HOLD ME" TOWNHOUSE W-25Runout side A variant 2
BAM 1 B-1 SPRING GREENS J.H. B̶-̶1̶ TOWNHOUSE B.A.ROBERTSON W-24Runout side B variant 2
BAM 1 A2Etched side A
BAM 1 B2Etched side B
STRAWBERRYStamped on both sides
B.A. ROBERTSON A-1 J.M. HOLD ME TOWNHOUSERunout side A
B.A. ROBERTSON SPRING GREENS J.M. B-1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B
BAM 1 A1 W-4 B.A.ROBERTSON A-1 J.H. "HOLD ME"Side A Runout Etched
BAM 1 B-1 W-4 SPRING GREENS J.H. B-1 B.A.ROBERTSONSide B Runout Etched
TOWNHOUSEStamped on both A & B Side
BAM 1 ASide A label
ST-SS-40565 - 1 1-3 SP STERLINGRunout A side
ST-SS-40566 - 1 1-1 SP STERLINGRunout B side
ST-SS-40565-SPLabel A side
ST-SS-40566-SPLabel B side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | WEA 100192First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Swan Song PRO 72006First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Swan Song BAM 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Swan Song ELK 12564First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Swan Song SS 12 564 / Swan Song ELK 12 564First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Swan Song SWS 103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Swan Song BAM 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Swan Song BAM 1First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Swan Song BAM 1First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Swan Song BAM 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Swan Song BAM 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Swan Song SS 72006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Swan Song SS 72006First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Europe | Swan Song SS 12 564 / Swan Song ELK 12 564First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Swan Song 45-21697", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | WEA7", White Label | 7", White Label |
16 vinyl pressings of Hold Me are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Swan Song BAM 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BAM 1, SS 72006, SS 12 564, 100192) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BAM1 A1 TOWNHOUSE W-36 B.A.ROBERTSON A-1 J.H. HOLD ME and B.A.ROBERTSON W-35 BAM1 B1 SPRING GREENS J.H. TOWNHOUSE. 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.
