Vinyl pressings
by Cliff Richard & The Shadows · 1961
Theme For A Dream was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 15 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.
7XCA 25486-1 N TA ET 2Side A runout, variant 1
7XCA 25487-1 N LH ET 3Side B runout, variant 1
7XCA 25486-1 N GPG ET 1Side A runout, variant 2
7XCA 25487-1 N GAA ET 4Side B runout, variant 2
7XCA 25486-1 N MR ET4Side A runout variant 1
7XCA 25487-1 N MO ET4Side B runout variant 1
7XCA 25486-1N AM ET4Side A runout variant 2
7XCA 25487-1N AP ET3Side B runout variant 2
AMP 45-4276Label Side A
AMP 45-4277Label Side B
AMP 45-4276Label Side A
AMP 45-4277Label Side B
AMP 45-4276Label A
AMP 45-4277Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Australia | Columbia DO 4201First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | Belgium | Columbia 45 DB 4593First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Canada | Sparton 4-993RFirst year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1961 | Canada | Sparton 4-993RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Finland | Columbia 45-DYC 1057First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | Germany | Columbia C 21 765 / Columbia 45 - DW 5870First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 132First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | India | Columbia 45-DB 4593First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | India | Columbia 45-DB 4593First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Ireland | Columbia 45-DB (I) 4593First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Italy | Columbia SCMQ 1456First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Netherlands | Columbia 45 DB 4593First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | Netherlands | Columbia 45 DB 4593First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Netherlands | Columbia 45 DB 45937", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1961 | New Zealand | Columbia DNZ.10223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Columbia 45 DB 45937", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Denmark | Columbia 45-DB 45937", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | India | Columbia DB. 4593Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | South Africa | Columbia DSA.383Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Columbia 45-DB 45937", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
30 vinyl pressings of Theme For A Dream are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Columbia 45-DB 4593.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-DB 4593, 45-10195, DO 4201, 45 DB 4593) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7XCA 25486-1 N TA ET 2 and 7XCA 25487-1 N LH ET 3. 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.
