Vinyl pressings
by Clint Miller · 1957
Bertha Lou was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1957, the album's first year. 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.
ABC-3067-45-2 2Side A - Stamped (ABC Etched)
ABC-3068-45-2 2Side B - Stamped (ABC Etched)
ABC-3067-45-3 3Side A - Stamped (ABC Etched)
ABC 3068-45-3 3Side B - Stamped (ABC Etched)
3067-45 4 E-1688Stamped in runout Side B (E-# Etched)
3068-45 4 E-1689Stamped in runout Side B (E-# Etched)
AMP 45-3067A Side Label
AMP 45-3068B Side Label
3067-45 4machine-stamped in dead wax side A
3068-45 4machine-stamped in dead wax side b
E-1688hand-etched in dead wax side A
E-1689hand-etched in dead wax side B
AMP 45-3067Label side A
AMP 45-3068Label side B
ABC-3067-45-2 2Side A - Stamped (ABC Etched)
ABC-3068-45-2 2Side B - Stamped (ABC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9878First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9878First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9878First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9878First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9878First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9878First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 78-9878First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | US | ABC-Paramount 45-9878First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Netherlands | Artone AP 22.014x457", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Sparton Of Canada Ltd. 4-528R / ABC-Paramount 4-528R7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | Sparton 528RShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | ABC-Paramount 45.98787", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Sweden | Karusell KFF 2237", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
13 vinyl pressings of Bertha Lou are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1957 and 1958.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in US. One of them is ABC-Paramount 45-9878.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-9878, 78-9878) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ABC-3067-45-2 2 and ABC-3068-45-2 2. 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.
