Vinyl pressings
by Cathy Carr · 1955
Ivory Tower was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year, in 2 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.
̶G̶ F9OW-1088-1 F 734-1 I A1Runout Side A
̶G̶F9OW-1089-1 F 734-2 I B1Runout Side B
F9OW-1088Label Side A
F9OW-1089Label Side B
F90W 1088-2 F 734-1 I A2Stamped Side A
F9 0W 1089 1A I F734-2 A1Stamped Side B
F9OW-1088Side A Label
F9OW-1089Side B Label
F90W-1088-1 A2 RA side runout
F90W-1089-1 A1 R F-734-2B side runout
F9OW-1088A side label
F9OW-1089B side label
F9OB-1088-1 A2 RSide A runout etched (except 2)
F9OB-1089-1 A2 RSide B runout etched (except 2)
F9OB-1088Side A label
F9OB-1089Side B label
F734A1-1-1Side A Label
F7501-1-1Side B Label
F9OB-1088-1 A1 RSide A runout etched
F9OB-1089-1 A1 R F-734-2Side B runout etched
F9OB-1088Side A label
F9OB-1089Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Canada | Reo 8091First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Fraternity Records F-734First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Fraternity Records F-734First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Fraternity Records F-734First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Fraternity Records F-734First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Fraternity Records F-734First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Fraternity Records F-734First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | Australia | W & G WG-SPN 1907", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1956 | Australia | W & G WG-XPN 190Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | Germany | London Records DL 20 0437", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | UK | London Records 45-HL-H 82747", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1956 | UK | London Records 45-HL-H 82747", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1956 | Canada | Reo 8091X7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Canada | Reo 8091X7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Netherlands | London American Recordings L 547Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Fraternity Records J-NE.17", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Norway | Decca NL 4029Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Collectables C 11747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables C 11747", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables C 11747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Ivory Tower are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1955 and 1956.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, Canada. One of them is Fraternity Records F-734.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-734, 8091) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ̶G̶ F9OW-1088-1 F 734-1 I A1 and ̶G̶F9OW-1089-1 F 734-2 I B1. 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.
