Vinyl pressings
by Carly Simon · 1983
Hello Big Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 14 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.
1 23886 A SH2 'ɑ' [stamped] B-18400 SLM △ 4994 1─2 [2 scratched out] sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ [stamped] Q | SM1-1Side A etched except where noted
1 23886 B SH2 'ɑ' [stamped] B-18401-SH2 SLM △ 4994-X 1─2 [all scratched out] Q-/ SM1-1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ [stamped]Side B etched except where noted
1 23886 A WW2 •------◁Side A - Etched
1 23886 B WW2 •------◁Side B - Etched
STERLINGBoth Sides - Stamped
1 23886 A JW1 #1 0 STERLING 0Runout A
1 23886 B JW1 #1 0 STERLINGRunout B
OR MX208253 23886-1-S1Side 1 runout - stamped (OR hand etched)
OR MX208254 23886-1-S2Side 2 runout - stamped (OR hand etched)
MX208253Side 1 label
MX208254Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Warner Bros. Records SLIN 3367First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 26.113First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 38861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 92-3886-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Warner Bros. Records 92-3886-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 92-3886-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 92-3886-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records 92-3886-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92-3886-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records 92-3886-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records 759 92-3886-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK & Europe | Warner Bros. Records 92-3886-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23886First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records W1-23886LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23886 / Warner Bros. Records 9 23886-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Hello Big Man are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 1-23886, released August 31, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-23886, 23886-1, P-11376, SLIN 3367) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 23886 A SH2 'ɑ' [stamped] B-18400 SLM △ 4994 1─2 [2 scratched out] sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ [stamped] Q | SM1-1 and 1 23886 B SH2 'ɑ' [stamped] B-18401-SH2 SLM △ 4994-X 1─2 [all scratched out] Q-/ SM1-1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ [stamped]. 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.
