Vinyl pressings
by Chubby Checker · 1962
Popeye The Hitchhiker / Limbo Rock was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year, in 17 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.
DMStamped in runouts
P-849-A2 MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. AudioMatrixSide A Runout Stamped variant 1
P-849-B2 MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. AudioMatrixSide B Runout Stamped variant 1
P-849-A2 MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. AudioMatrix BLSide A Runout variant 2
P-849-A-2 A1 R R MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA.Version 1 runout A stamped
P-849-B-2 A2 R R MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA.Version 1 runout B stamped
R R MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. P-849-A-2 A2Version 2 runout A stamped
R R MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. P-849-A-2 A2Version 2 runout B stamped
P-849-A2Side A
P-849-B2Side B
Mastering Reco-Art Phila.Mastering Stamp - Side A
Mastering Reco-Art Phila.Mastering Stamp - Side B
P-849-A2
P-849-B2
P-849-A2Side A runout
P-849-B2Side B runout
ARP MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. P-849-A2 AudioMatrix ARPRunout, Side A, Stamped
ARP MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. P-849-B2 AudioMatrixRunout, Side B, Stamped
P-849ALabel Side A
P-849BLabel Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Australia | Columbia DO-4315First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Australia | Columbia DO-4315First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Australia | Columbia DO-4315First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Austria | Ariola 45 428 AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Canada | Parkway P-849XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1962 | Denmark | Karusell KFF 432First year7" | 7" |
| 1962 | Denmark | Karusell KFF 432First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Denmark | Karusell KFF 432First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Finland | Karusell KFF 432First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Finland | Karusell KFF 432First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | France | Bel Air 111074First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Germany | Ariola 45 428 AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Germany | Ariola 45 428 AFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Germany | Ariola 45 428 AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Hong Kong | Diamond D.158X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Producciones Fermata 37FP-00187", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | Chile | Producciones Fermata F 45-87", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Ecuador | Odeon 45-872487", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Germany | Ariola 45 428 A7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Greece | Cameo Parkway 16001 CP7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Hong Kong | Diamond D.158 x 457" | 7" |
48 vinyl pressings of Popeye The Hitchhiker / Limbo Rock are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1962 and 1963.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, UK, Sweden, Netherlands and more. One of them is Parkway P-849.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use P-849, P.849, KFF 432, CP 26351) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM and P-849-A2 MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. AudioMatrix. 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.
