Vinyl pressings
by Bee Gees · 1968
I Started A Joke 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.
17 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 4 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.
1 Ⓟ 1968 M8 *Z N 00 059253 ARunout side A stamped; N tilted variant 2
1 Ⓟ 1968 M8 *Z V 00 059253 BRunout side B stamped; V tilted variant 2
59 253 ALabel side A
59 253 BLabel side B
1 ℗ 1968 M8 ✻Z 00 059253 A KRunout side A, stamped
1 ℗ 1968 M8 ✻Z 00 059253 B LRunout side B, stamped
- 59 253 ALabel side A
- 59 253 BLabel side B
1 Ⓟ 1968 M8 *Z C 00 059253 ARunout side A stamped; C tilted
1 Ⓟ 1968 M8 *Z F 00 059253 BRunout side A stamped; F tilted
59 253 ALabel side A
59 253 BLabel side B
M 1 ⓟ 1968 M8 ✻Z 00 059253 ARunout side A
1 ⓟ 1968 M8 ✻Z Q 00 059253 BRunout side B
59 253 ALabel side A
59 253 BLabel side B
68C-14795-A3 ATRunout A-side var. 1
68C-14795-I7 ATRunout B-side var. 1
68-C-14795-13 LW AT WRunout A-side var. 2 etched
68-C-14796-13 LW W ATRunout B-side var. 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Austria | Polydor 59 253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59253 / Polydor 59 253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59 253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59253 / Polydor 59 253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59 253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 59 253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6639First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Atlantic ATCO 66397", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6639First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1968 | US | Pocket Disc M-267 / ATCO Records 6639PFirst yearFlexi-disc, 4", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | Flexi-disc, 4", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6639First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Costa Rica | Polydor 20287", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Turkey | Polydor 593797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
35 vinyl pressings of I Started A Joke are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in Germany, US, Canada, Austria. One of them is Polydor 59253.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 59253, 59 253, 45-6639, M-267) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 Ⓟ 1968 M8 *Z N 00 059253 A and 1 Ⓟ 1968 M8 *Z V 00 059253 B. 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.
