Vinyl pressings
by Blue Mink · 1973
Only When I Laugh was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 8 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.
YAX 4643-1U 2 2Side A Runout, Stamped
A1 BILBOSide A Runout, Etched
YAX 4644-1U G 1Side B Runout, Stamped
B1 DB.Side B Runout, Etched
YAX 4643 A - 2U Ω MELSSide A Runout, variant 1
YAX 4644 [letter deleted] - 2U ::Ω MELS BSide B Runout, variant 1
YAX 4643 A - 4U MELSSide A Runout, variant 2
YAX 4644 [letter deleted] - 2U MELS BSide B Runout, variant 2
YAX 4643-1U GSide A Runout, Stamped
A1 BILBOSide A Runout, Etched
YAX 4644-1U GSide B Runout, Stamped
B1 DB.Side B Runout, Etched
MCA 98DJ-W9· ◈-P-◈Side A runout
MCA-99DJ-W5̶ .6 ◈-P-◈ ISide B runout
MCA98-DJSide A label inside parenthesis
MCA99-DJSide B label inside parenthesis
MCA 98DJ-W8· ◈-G-◈Side A runout
MCA-99DJ-W7 ◈-G-◈Side B runout
MCA98-DJSide A label
MCA99*-DJSide B label
YAX.4643 YMX-3013Side A runout
YAX.4644 YMX-3014Side B runout
YAX4643Side A label
YAX4644Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | EMI EMC 756 / EMI EMC-756First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | EMI 1C 062-94 629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 062-94 629First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 101First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | South Africa | EMI EMCJ 5003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | EMI EMA 756 / EMI OC 064 ○ 94629First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | EMI EMA 756 / EMI OC 064 o 94629LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | EMI EMA 756First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | UK | EMI EMA 756 / EMI OC 064 ○ 94629First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Venezuela | Harvest SHLP-9518LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Only When I Laugh are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is EMI EMA 756.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMA 756, MCA-332, EMC 756, 1C 062-94 629) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAX 4643-1U 2 2 and A1 BILBO. 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.
