Vinyl pressings
by Benny Hill · 1971
Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. 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 1971, the album's first year, in 13 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.
7YCA 32964 - 1 RDT KT 3Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
7YCA 32965 - 1 RAR KT 1Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
7YCA 32964 - 1 GPO KT 3Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
7YCA 32965 - 1 GMM KT 2Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
7YCA 32964Label, side A
7YCA 32965Label side B
7XCA 32964 45Label side A
7XCA 32965 45Label side B
PRO-6416-F-1Label Matrix, Side A
PRO-6417-F-1Label Matrix, Side B
7YCA32964 7XCT3826Label side A
7YCA32965 7XCT3827Label side B
7YCA32964 7XCT3826Side A runout etched
7YCA32965 7XCT3827Side B runout etched
7YCA32964 7XCT3826Side A label
7YCA32965 7XCT3827Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Columbia DO-9698First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | Columbia DO-9698First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Capitol Records 72659First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Columbia 1 C 006-04 958First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1971 | Ireland | Columbia DB(I) 8833First year7" | 7" |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Columbia DNZ.10767First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Norway | Columbia DB 8833First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Scandinavia | Columbia DB 8833First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | South Africa | Columbia DSA 1001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Spain | Odeon 1 J 00-04.958First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | Columbia DB 8833First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | Columbia DB 8833First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | Columbia DB 8833First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | UK | EMI ERNPD 17", Shape, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Shape, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1992 | UK | EMI ERN 1 / EMI 7 2438 80068 7 37", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Columbia 049587", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Netherlands | Columbia 5C 006-049587" | 7" |
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 25427", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 25427", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1971 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia DB 8833.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DB 8833, PRO-6416, DO-9698, 72659) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7YCA 32964 - 1 RDT KT 3 and 7YCA 32965 - 1 RAR KT 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.
