Vinyl pressings
by B. A. Robertson · 1980
To Be Or Not To Be was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 7 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.
[Harp symbol] K 12449 A-1 2 D CERunout side A, etched, variant 1
[Harp symbol] K 12449 B 3 1 A DORunout side B, etched, variant 1
[Harp symbol] K 12449 A-1 2 D BPRunout side A, etched, variant 2
[Harp symbol] K 12449 B3 1 D CPRunout side B, etched, variant 2
K 12449 A-1 W-1 [lyre symbol]Side A runout, variant 1
K 12449 B3 W-1 [lyre symbol]Side B runout, variant 1
K 12449 A-1 W-5KD [lyre symbol]Side A runout, etched, variant 2
K 12449 B3 W-7KD [lyre symbol]Side B runout, etched, variant 2
K 12449 A-1 2 D AD [lyre symbol]Runout side A, etched
K 12449 B3 1 D ED [lyre symbol]Runout side B, etched
K 12449 ALabel side A
K 12449 BLabel side B
WEA-12458-A PFRunout side A
WEA-12458-B PFRunout side B
12 449-ALabel side A in parenthesis
12 449-BLabel side B in parenthesis
WEA 12458-A PFRunout, side A, etched
WEA 12458-B PFRunout, side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | wea 100138First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Asylum Records K 12458First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Asylum Records K 12449First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Asylum Records K 12449First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 12449First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | WEA Z 10026First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K 12449First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K 12449First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K 12449First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 12 458 / Asylum Records AS 12 458 NFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Asylum Records AS 12 458First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of To Be Or Not To Be are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia and more. One of them is Asylum Records K 12449.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 12449, AS 12 458, 100138, K 12458) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [Harp symbol] K 12449 A-1 2 D CE and [Harp symbol] K 12449 B 3 1 A DO. 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.
