Vinyl pressings
by Dee Clark · 1961
Raindrops 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.
20 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 13 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.
61-1874 AudioMatrix ARPSide A, Etched, (AudioMatrix) Stamped, (ARP) Script
61-1862 AudioMatrix ARPSide B, Etched, (AudioMatrix) Stamped, (ARP) Script
61-1874A Side
61-1862B Side
61-1874 ARP AudioMatrixSide A runout
61-1862 ARP AudioMatrixSide B runout
61-1874Side A label
61-1862Side B label
61-1874 MR AudioMatrix △ 38785A side runout - etched / AudioMatrix - stamped
61-1862 MR AudioMatrix △ 38784B side runout - etched / AudioMatrix - stamped
61-1874A Side
61-1862B Side
61-1874 AudioMatrixSide A, Etched, (AudioMatrix) Stamped
61-1862 AudioMatrixSide B, Etched, (AudioMatrix) Stamped
61-1874A Side
61-1862B 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 | Australia | Top Rank International TRK-72First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | Delta D-3134First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | Denmark | Top Rank International T 1062 / Top Rank International T-1062First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | India | Top Rank International JAR-570First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Italy | Top Rank International R. 2340First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Jamaica | Top Rank International Vee Jay 383First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Japan | Top Rank International RANK-1128First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Netherlands | Top Rank International HTR-718First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | New Zealand | Top Rank International JAR 376First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Norway | Top Rank International T-1062First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | Norway | Top Rank International T-1062First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | South Africa | Renown N 1224First year10", 78 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 10", 78 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | Top Rank International JAR-570First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | UK | Top Rank International JAR-570First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1961 | UK | Top Rank International JAR-570First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | US | MCA Records D-24337", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | Goldies 45 D-24337", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records D-24337", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | US | Collectables COL 14597", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
| 1988 | US | Collectables COL 14597", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1988 | US | Collectables COL 14597", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | GRT GG 787", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Top Rank International HTR 6317", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Lost Nite Records LN-3037", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Lost Nite Records LN-3037", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Lost Nite Records LN 3037", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Oldies 45 OL 167", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Lost Nite Records LN-3037", 45 RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
36 vinyl pressings of Raindrops are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1961 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Vee Jay Records VJ 383.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VJ 383, VJ-383, JAR-570, TRK-72) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 61-1874 AudioMatrix ARP and 61-1862 AudioMatrix 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.
