Vinyl pressings
by City Boy · 1978
What A Night was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
10 AA6059211 1 W 320 1 DRunout A, stamped
10 AA6059211 2 W 320 1 DRunout B, stamped
10 AA6059211 1 W 320 CRunout side A (version 2)
10 AA6059211 2 W 320 B 1Runout side B (version 2)
6059 211 A2 STRAWBERRY: [Areacem logo]Side A runout
6059 211 B2 STRAWBERRY: [Areacem logo]Side B runout
6059-211-A2 STRAWBERRYRunout, A-side, etched
6059-211-B2 STRAWBERRYRunout, B-side, etched
6059211 1F//3 STR 1 1 STRAWBERRYRunout, A-side
6059211 2F//4 STR 1 1 4 STRAWBERRYRunout, B-side
6059 211 A2 STRAWBERRYSide A Etched Run-out
6059 211 B2 STRAWBERRYSide B Etched Run-out
A.R.E.A.C.E.M. logoSides A & B Stamped Run-outs
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Mushroom K7286First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Mercury M-74032First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 211First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Vertigo 6059 211First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2352First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Vertigo SFL-2352First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 211First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo 6059 211First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo 6059 211First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Mercury 74032First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Mercury 74032First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo 6059 211First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Vertigo 6059 211First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
13 vinyl pressings of What A Night are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Vertigo 6059 211.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6059 211, 74032, K7286, M-74032) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 10 AA6059211 1 W 320 1 D and 10 AA6059211 2 W 320 1 D. 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.
