Vinyl pressings
by Danny Williams · 1961
Moon River 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.
7XEA 19946-1N GOD ET4Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
7XEA 19947-1S GOD ET3Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
7XEA 19946-1N GRA ET3Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
7XEA 19947-1S GGA ET2Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
7XEA 19946-1NStamped Runout - Side A
7XEA 19947-1SStamped Runout - Side B
7XEA 19946Label Matrix - Side A
7XEA 19947Label Matrix - Side B
7XEA 19946-1NSide A label
7XEA 19947-1SSide B label
7XEA 19946-INTIRun-out matrix A-side stamped
7XEA 19947-ISTIRun-out matrix B-side stamped
7XEA 19946 45Label A-side
7XEA 19947 45Label B-side
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 | Ireland | His Master's Voice 45-POP (I) 932First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | Norway | His Master's Voice 45-POP 932First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | South Africa | His Master's Voice 45-SAB 386First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Sweden | His Master's Voice 45-POP 932First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | UK | His Master's Voice Pop 932First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1961 | India | His Master's Voice 45-POP 932First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | UK | His Master's Voice 45-POP 932First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | UK | His Master's Voice POP 932First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | UK | His Master's Voice 45-POP 932First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Angel Records HM-11337", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice POP 9327", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Moon River are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in UK, India, Ireland, Norway and more. One of them is His Master's Voice 45-POP 932, released November 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-POP 932, POP 932, Pop 932, 45-POP (I) 932) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7XEA 19946-1N GOD ET4 and 7XEA 19947-1S GOD ET3. 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.
