Vinyl pressings
by Dave Edmunds · 1975
Subtle As A Flying Mallet was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
RRL 10Φ-A-2E PK A1G PNSide A Runout, Etched, Variant 1
RRL 10Φ-B-3 E A1G PKSide B Runout, Etched, Variant 1
RRL10Φ-A-2E PK A1G PNSide A Runout, Etched, Variant 2
RRL-10Φ-B-3E PK A2CSide B Runout, Etched, Variant 2
LPL1-5003A-1 I A1Runout side A
LPL1-5003B-1 I A1Runout side B
LPL1-5003-ALabel side A
LPL1-5003-BLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | RCA VPL1 -7051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor RRL 101 / RCA Victor 26.21505 ASFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Turkey | RCA Victor PL-25129 / RCA Victor 834First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Rockfield RRL 101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | RCA Victor LPL1-5003 / RCA LPL1-5003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor KYL1-0406LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor PL 25129LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor PL 25129 / RCA PL 25129LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | RCA International INTS 5131 / RCA International NL 25394LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | RCA PL25129LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | UK | RCA PL 25129LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | RCA International INTS 5131 / RCA International NL 25394LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA Victor AYL1-4238LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Subtle As A Flying Mallet are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Rockfield RRL 101.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RRL 101, LPL1-5003, VPL1 -7051, PL-25129) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RRL 10Φ-A-2E PK A1G PN and RRL 10Φ-B-3 E A1G PK. 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.
