Vinyl pressings
by Brotherhood Of Man · 1977
Oh Boy / Closer Closer was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 12 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 PY 140 185 A M.P.P.V.Runout A, stamped/etched
45 PY 140 185 B M.P.P.V.Runout B, stamped/etched
45 PY 140185 ALabel A, in parenthesis
45 PY 140185 BLabel B, in parenthesis
7N 45656 A-1 ♢ G. 1 AZRunout side A, variant 1
7N 45656 B-1♢G. 1 AVRunout side B, variant 1
7N 45656 A-1 ♢ G. 3 IRunout side A, variant 2
7N 45656 B-1 ♢ G. 3 XRunout side B, variant 2
7N 45656 A-1♢GSide A runout, etched - variant 1
7N 45656 B-1♢G L/DSide B runout, etched - variant 1
7N 45656 A-1♢G. 4 NSide A runout, etched - variant 2
7N 45656 B-1♢G. 4 OSide B runout, etched - variant 2
7N 45656 A - 1 ♢GA Side Runout
7N 45656 B - 1 ♢GB Side Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Austria | Pye Records 17 626 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | France | Pye Records 45.PY. 140 185 / Pye Records 45. PY. 140185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Pye Records 7N 45656First year7" | 7" |
| 1977 | Germany | Pye Records 17 626 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Ireland | Pye Records 7N 45656First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Italy | Pye Records PNP 57013First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Pye Records VIP 7702 / Pye Records VIP. 7702First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Dawn DNS 5040First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Portugal | Pye Records 7N45656First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Rhodesia | R & T PYE 033First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Spain | Pye Records P 1042 / Pye Records P1.042First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45656First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45656First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45656First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Private Stock PS 45,148First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Pye Records 7N 456567", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Oh Boy / Closer Closer are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in France, UK, US, Austria and more. One of them is Pye Records 45.PY. 140 185.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45.PY. 140 185, 7N 45656, PS 45,148, 17 626 AT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45 PY 140 185 A M.P.P.V. and 45 PY 140 185 B M.P.P.V.. 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.
