Vinyl pressings
by Chicken Shack · 1973
Unlucky Boy was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
XZAL-11998.P-1 BC 2D RIMYARunout side A, Variant 1
XZAL-11999.P-1 M 2D GRANNYRunout side B, Variant 1
XZAL-11998.P-1 U 2D RIMYARunout side A, Variant 2
XZAL-11999.P-1 U 1 GRANNYRunout side B, Variant 2
XZAL 11998P -1 ALSide A Runout
XZAL 11999 P -1 AL STERLING LH 2Side B Runout
XZAL 11998 P-2-W STERLINGRunout side A
XZAL 11999 P-2-W STERLINGRunout side B
XZAL 11998P WLabel side A
XZAL 11999P WLabel side B
XZAL-11998-PSide A Etching
XZAL-11999-PSide A Etching
XZAL 11998PSide A Label
XZAL 11999PSide A Label
XZAL 11998PSide A Label
XZAL 11999PSide A Label
℗ 1973 XZAL-11998-I Manufactured in Germany SRunout A-side stamped, S etched
℗ 1973 XZAL-11999 Manufactured in Germany SRunout B-side stamped, S etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | London Records XPS 632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | London Records XPS 632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Deram SML 1100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Deram SML 1100LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Germany | Deram SML 1100First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Deram SML 1100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | South Africa | Deram SML 1100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Deram SML 1100LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | London Records XPS 632First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | London Records XPS 632First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Deram SML 1100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Deram SML 1100LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Japan | Deram SLC 817LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | France | Klimt Records MJJ422CBLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl |
14 vinyl pressings of Unlucky Boy are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Deram SML 1100, released July 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SML 1100, XPS 632) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-11998.P-1 BC 2D RIMYA and XZAL-11999.P-1 M 2D GRANNY. 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.
