Vinyl pressings
by Badfinger · 1972
Baby Blue was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 14 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.
O2 S-45-X-47653-Z3 1844 #3 o STERLING LHA-side, variant 1
0 S-45-X-4761232 1844 #2 STERLING LHB-side, variant 1
0 S-45-X-47651̶3 Z3² 1844 #5 STERLING LHA-side, variant 2
0 S-45-X-475̶3̶61 Z3² 1844 #1 STERLING LHB-side, variant 2
S-45-X-4765B Z1 ─◁ STERLING 2 LHVariant 1, Side A Runout, etched (except "STERLING" stamped)
S-45-X-4̶7̶6̶5̶3̶ 47661 Z1 ─◁ STERLING 2 LHVariant 1, Side B Runout, etched (except "STERLING" stamped)
S-45-X-4765B Z1 ─◁ STERLING 2 LHVariant 2, Side A Runout, etched (except "STERLING" stamped)
S-45-X-4̶7̶6̶5̶3̶ 47661 Z2. ─◁ STERLING 3 LHVariant 2, Side B Runout, etched (except "STERLING" stamped), variant
S-45-X-47653-25 2 ✲ STERLING/2 LHRunout A
S-45-X-47661-26 1 ✲ STERLING/2 LHRunout B
S-45-X-47653 Z5• 1 ✲ STERLING/2 LHRunout A, Variant
S-45-X-4765̶3̶ 61 Z6• 1 ✲ STERLING/3 LHRunout B, Variant
S-45-X-47653 Z3• 3 ✲ STERLING LH 2Side A
S-45-X-47661 Z6• 2 ✲ STERLING LH 3Side B
S45-X47653Side A, label
S45-X47661Side B, label
APPLE-1844-AA-side Runout
APLLE-1844-BB-side Runout
5C006-93391A//HM 17.119-1-Y-8.A side runout
5C006-03391B//HM 17.120-1-Y-8.B side runout
5C 006-93391-AA side label
5C 006-93391-BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Unknown | Apple Records APPLE 1844First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Australia | Apple Records APPLE-9888First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | Apple Records APPLE-42First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Denmark | Apple Records APPLE 1844First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | France | Apple Records 2C006-93391First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-93 391First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Apple Records 93 3917", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1972 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-93 391First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Apple Records 3 C 006-93391First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Mexico | Apple Records 7110First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Apple Records APPLE.42First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | South Africa | Apple Records APPLE 42JFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | South Africa | Apple Records APPLE 42JFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Sweden | Apple Records 4E 006-93391First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | US | Apple Records 18447", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
24 vinyl pressings of Baby Blue are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1972 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Netherlands, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is Apple Records 1844, released March 22, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1844, APPLE 1844, 5C 006-93391, EAR-10046) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, O2 S-45-X-47653-Z3 1844 #3 o STERLING LH and 0 S-45-X-4761232 1844 #2 STERLING LH. 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.
