Vinyl pressings
by Bee Gees · 1969
First Of May was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 23 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.
56304 A//1Variant 1 run-out A-side
56304 B//1Variant 1 run-out B-side
56304 A//1 420 1 2 3Variant 2 run-out A-side
56304 B//1 420 1 1 5Variant 2 run-out B-side
69-C-15926 - 6 LW AT RG W [SRC logo]Side A, runout, etched/stamped, variant 1
69-C-15919 - 5 AT W [SRC logo]Side B, runout, etched/stamped, variant 1
69-C-15926 - 6 [SRC logo] LW AT RG WSide A, runout, etched/stamped, variant 2
69-C-15919 - 4 LW AT W [SRC logo]Side B, runout, etched/stamped, variant 2
69C-15926-MOSide A, Label
69C-15919-MOSide B, Label
69C-15926-13 CT W ATRunout A
69C-15919-11LW W ATRunout B
69C-15926-PLSide A label
69C-15919-PLSide B label
69C-15926-PLSide A, label
69C-15919-PLSide B, label
69-C-15926 SPSide A, label
69-C-15919 SPSide B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Spin EK-2820 / Spin 56304First year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Austria | Polydor 56 304First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Belgium | Polydor 59260First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Brazil | Polydor FC 126.011First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records 6657XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Polydor 421 427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Polydor 421 427 / Polydor 421427First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 260First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 260First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 260First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 59 260First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Greece | International Polydor Production 282First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Polydor 59260 / Polydor N H 59 260First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Japan | Polydor DP 1634First year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Lebanon | Polydor 56304First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Polydor 252607", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Chile | Polydor 59 3047", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Peru | Polydor L 702607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Philippines | Polydor PRO-31827", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
40 vinyl pressings of First Of May are listed here, from 26 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Germany, Yugoslavia and more. One of them is Polydor 56304, released February 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 56304, 45-6657, 59 260, S 53 451) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 56304 A//1 and 56304 B//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.
