Vinyl pressings
by Blue Cheer · 1970
BC #5 The Original Human Being was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 5 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.
PHS600347A-M2 1VSide A, runout, stamped
PHS600347B-M2 PRSide B, runout, stamped [PR etched]
PHS600347A-M1 PRSide A, stamped [PR etched], variant 2
PHS600347B-M1 PRSide B, stamped [PR etched], variant 2
PHS600347A- M2Side A
PHS 600 347 -B- M2Side B
PHS600347A- M1Side A runout, stamped
-1-1Side A runout, etched
P.R.Side A runout etched
PHS 600 347 -B-M2Side B runout, etched
PHS600347A- M1Runout stamp Side A
PHS 600347B- M1Runout stamp Side B
6336004 1Y//1▽420Side A, stamped
6336004 2Y//1▽420Side B, stamped
6336004 1Label Side A
6336004 2Label Side B
6336004 1Y//1▽420Side A, stamped
6336004 2Y//1▽420Side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Philips 6336 004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | Philips PHS.600.347First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Philips 6336 004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Philips 6336 004First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | UK | Philips 6336 004 / Philips 6336004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Philips 6336 004 / Philips 6336004First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1970 | US | Philips PHS-600-347 / Philips PHS 600·347First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Philips PHS-600-347First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Philips PHS-600-347 / Philips PHS 600·347First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Philips PHS 600-347First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Philips SFX-7314LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | Philips SFX-7314LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Philips 63 36 004LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Italy | Akarma AK 150LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Philips 6336 004LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Not On Label 600 347LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
16 vinyl pressings of BC #5 The Original Human Being are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1970 and 2001.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Philips PHS 600-347, released November 3, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PHS 600-347, PHS-600-347, 6336 004, PHS.600.347) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHS600347A-M2 1V and PHS600347B-M2 PR. 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.
