Vinyl pressings
by Book Of Love · 1985
Boy was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 11 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.
0-20299-A-SH1 ɑ [Allied logo] B-20570-SH1 SLM △ 8652 1-1 HERbIE JR [stylised smiley face]A Side etched
0-20299-B-SH1 ɑ [Allied logo] B-20571-SH1 SLM △ 8652-1 1-1 HERbIE JR [stylised smiley face]B Side etched
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKStamped both sides
[SRC stamp] MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR [stylised smiley face] 0-20299-A-SR1 1-1Runout, Side A
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE JR [stylised smiley face] [SRC stamp] 0-20299-B-SR1 1-1Runout, Side B
7-29030-CNY-3601-V1-S-SH1 Frankford Wayne Herbie Jr Q R-14116 SLM Δ9199 1-1Etched Same on both sides.
7-29030-CNY-3601-V1-S-SR1 HERbIE JR [stylized smiley face] 1-2 SRCBoth sides runout, etched
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKStamped both sides
CNY 3601V1SBoth sides label matrix
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Sire 92 02990First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | Plus+ 1549956First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | Plus+ 2006827First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | Plus+ 20068277", 45 RPM, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1985 | Germany | Sire 920 299-0 / I Square Records 920 299-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Sire 929 030-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 9030-7 / Sire 92 9030-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Japan | Sire P-1974First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records 0-20299 / Sire 0-20299First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-448First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Portugal | Sire 759 92-9030-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 474First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | Sire 92 9037-7 / Sire S 929037-7First year7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1985 | Spain | Sire 929030-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | Sire 92 0299-0 / Sire 92 0299 - 0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | US | Reprise Records PRO-A-10035912", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 2000 | US | Reprise Records PRO-100499-A12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 2001 | US | Reprise Records 0-44928 / Reprise Records 9 44928-012", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
28 vinyl pressings of Boy are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1985 and 2001.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Sire 9 20299-0 A.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 20299-0 A, 7-29030, W 8970T, W 8970) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0-20299-A-SH1 ɑ [Allied logo] B-20570-SH1 SLM △ 8652 1-1 HERbIE JR [stylised smiley face] and 0-20299-B-SH1 ɑ [Allied logo] B-20571-SH1 SLM △ 8652-1 1-1 HERbIE JR [stylised smiley face]. 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.
