Vinyl pressings
by Danny & The Juniors · 1961
Pony Express 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.
9 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 6 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.
ARP RECORDING RECO-PHILA. S-4068-I Swan Audio MatrixRunout, Side A stamp; S-4068-I etch
RECORDING RECO-PHILA. S-4068-D Audio Matrix Swan ARPRunout, Side B stamp; S-4068-D etch
S 4068 PLabel Side A
S 4068 DLabel Side B
[RECORDING RECO-PHILA.] 45-S-4068-P [Swan] [Audio Matrix] △38026-XRunout, Side A, Etched, Except [Stamped]
[RECORDING RECO-PHILA.] 45-S-4068-D [Swan] △38023Runout, Side B, Etched, Except [Stamped]
S-4068-PLabel Side A
S-4068-DLabel Side B
DM RECORDING RECO-PHILA. S-4068-P Swan Audio MatrixRunout side A
DM RECORDING RECO-PHILA. S-4068-D Audio Matrix SwanRunout side B
S-4068-PLabel side A
S-4068-DLabel side B
Recording Reco-Phila S-4068-P Swan Audio MatrixA side runout
Recording Reco-Phila S-4068-D Audio Matrix SwanB side runout
MX8529Side A
MX8530Side 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 | Top Rank International TRK-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | Australia | Top Rank International TRK-77", Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1961 | Canada | Quality 1278XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Germany | Top Rank International 75 221 AFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Netherlands | Top Rank International TRK-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | UK | Top Rank International JAR-552First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | Swan S 4068First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | US | Swan S-4068-PFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | US | Swan S-4068First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | US | Swan S 4068First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Pony Express are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Swan S 4068.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S 4068, S-4068-P, S-4068, JAR-552) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARP RECORDING RECO-PHILA. S-4068-I Swan Audio Matrix and RECORDING RECO-PHILA. S-4068-D Audio Matrix Swan ARP. 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.
