Vinyl pressings
by Cliff Richard · 1969
Big Ship was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
7XCA 3245-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
7XCA 3246-1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
7XCA 32455-1 P KT 2Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
7XCA 32456-1 RR KT 2Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
7XCA 3245 5 -1 AP KTSide A- stamped
7XCA 32456 -1 AT KTSide B-stamped
7XCA 3245-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
7XCA 3246-1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Columbia DO-8792First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | Columbia DO-8792First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | Columbia DO-8792First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Canada | Capitol Records 72584First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Denmark | Columbia DB 8581First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Denmark | Columbia DB 8581First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Columbia 2C 006-04106 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | Columbia 1C006-04106First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Columbia 3C 006-04106 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Columbia 3C 006-04106 M / Columbia SCMQ 7146First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1969 | Japan | Odeon OR-2303First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Columbia 5C 006.04106 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Columbia DNZ.10634First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Norway | Columbia DB 8581First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | South Africa | Columbia DSA 884First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Columbia DO-87927", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Big Ship are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia DB 8581, released May 23, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DB 8581, DB (I) 8581, DO-8792, 72584) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7XCA 3245-1 and 7XCA 3246-1. 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.
