Vinyl pressings
by Deep Purple · 1972
Never Before was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 26 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.
Y PUR 102 A-1UA Side runout, variant 1
Y PUR 102 B-1UB Side runout, variant 1
Y PUR 102 A-1U CP KT 1A Side runout, variant 2
Y PUR 102 B-1U GR KT 2B Side runout, variant 2
Y PUR 102 A-1U R KT 1Side A, runout, stamped variant 1
Y PUR 102 B-1U M KT 1Side B, runout, stamped variant 1
Y PUR 102 A-1U O KT 2Side A, runout, stamped variant 2
Y PUR 102 B-1U O KT 1Side B, runout, stamped variant 2
YPUR 102 A- 1USide A
YPUR 102 B- 1USide B
Y PUR 102 A-1UA Side, variant 1
Y PUR 102 B-1UB Side, variant 1
YPUR 102 A-1U G KT 1A Side, variant 2
YPUR 102 B-1U G KT 1B Side, variant 2
WB-7572 QAA-5306-DJ 1A
WB-7572 QAA-5306-DJ 1B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Purple Records PUR-9856First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 7572First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | Denmark | Purple Records PUR 102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Finland | Purple Records PUR 102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Purple Records 2C 006-93262 / Purple Records 2C 006-93.262 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | France | Purple Records 2C 006 - 93262 / Purple Records 2C 006-93.262 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | France | Purple Records 2C 006 - 93262First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Purple Records 1C 006-93 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Purple Records 1C 006-93 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Purple Records 1C 006-93 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Purple Records 1C 006-93 262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Greece | Harvest HARG 1509First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Hungary | Pepita SP 999First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | Hungary | Pepita SP 999 / Purple RecordsFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | Italy | Purple Records 3 C006 - 93262 / Purple Records 3C 006-93262First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Singapore | Purple Records EPUR 30017", EP | 7", EP |
| ? | South Africa | Purple Records D.P. 1Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM |
52 vinyl pressings of Never Before are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1972 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Portugal, Ireland and more. One of them is Purple Records PUR 102, released March 17, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PUR 102, Pur 102, WB 7572, 8E 006 - 93 262 M) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Y PUR 102 A-1U and Y PUR 102 B-1U. 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.
