Vinyl pressings
by Buddy Holly · 1963
Brown Eyed Handsome Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 3 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-VC-112767-1C B H MT 2 0Stamped Side A, variant 1
45-VC-112763-1C B H MT 1Stamped Side B, variant 1
45-VC-112767-1C C MT 1Stamped Side A, variant 2
45-VC-112763-1C U 1 MTStamped Side B, variant 2
45-VC-112767-IC MT HI 2 BA side - stamped
45-VC-112763-1C MT HI 1B side - stamped
112,767A side label
112,763B side label
45-VC-112767-1C H H MTA-side Machine stamped
45-VC-112763-1C I H MTB-side machine stamped
112.767Label Side A
112.763Label Side B
45-VC-112767-1CA Side - Stamped
45-VC-112763-1CB Side - Stamped
112.767Label Side A
112.763Label Side B
45-VC-112767-ICSide A
45-VC-112763-ICSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Denmark | Coral Q.72459First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Ireland | Coral EQ.72459First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | UK | Coral Q.724597", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1963 | UK | Coral Q.724597", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1963 | UK | Coral Q.724597", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1963 | UK | Coral 45-Q. 72459First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | UK | Coral 45-Q. 72459First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | UK | Coral Q.724597", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1963 | UK | Coral Q.72459First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | UK | Coral 45-Q 72459First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Brown Eyed Handsome Man are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in UK, Denmark, Ireland. One of them is Coral 45-Q. 72459.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-Q. 72459, Q.72459, 45-Q 72459, EQ.72459) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-VC-112767-1C B H MT 2 0 and 45-VC-112763-1C B H MT 1. 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.
