Vinyl pressings
by Bobby Helms · 1957
My Special Angel was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. 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 1957, the album's first year, in 7 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.
45 102921 27 3Side A runout, variant 1
45 102969 6 3Side B runout, variant 1
45 102921 1 1Side A runout, variant 2
45 102969 3 1Side B runout, variant 2
45 102921 9 3 2 IIIRunout, side A, stamped
45 102969 9 3IRunout, side B, stamped
(45-102,921)Side A Label
(45-102,969)◈Side B Label
45 102921 9 33Runout A stamped
45 102969 9 31Runout B stamped
(102,921)Label A
(102,969) ✤Label B
45 102921 1 1Side A runout stamped
45 102969 1 1Side B runout stamped
102,921Side A label
102,969Side B label
45 102921 24 3Runout A stamped
45 102969 23 3Runout B stamped
(102,921)Label A
(102,969) ✤Label B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Australia | Festival Records FS-2001First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | Canada | Decca 9-30423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | Denmark | Decca 45-BM 05721First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | New Zealand | Festival Records FS-2001First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | South Africa | Brunswick BR. 110First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | Brunswick 45-05721First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | Brunswick 05721First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | Brunswick 05721 / Brunswick 0.5721First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | US | Decca 9-30423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Decca 30423First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | US | Decca 9-30423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Decca 9-30423First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Decca 9-30423First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1957 | US | Decca 9-30423First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1957 | US | Decca 9-30423First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Festival Records SP45-16687", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | Decca 30423Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Decca 304237", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
| ? | US | Decca 304237", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
| ? | US | Decca 304237", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
25 vinyl pressings of My Special Angel are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1957 and 1958.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Decca 9-30423, released August 26, 1957.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9-30423, 30423, 45-05721, 05721) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45 102921 27 3 and 45 102969 6 3. 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.
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