Vinyl pressings
by Diane Renay · 1964
Kiss Me Sailor was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1964, 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.
R4KM-4415-1A AA-Side Runout Etching
R4KM-4416-1A B3B-Side Runout Etching
BellSound R4KM-4415-1A A1 RA-Side Runout Etching (Variant)
BellSound R4KM-4416-1A B1 RB-Side Runout Etching (Variant)
R4KM-4415-1E Δ51780Etched side A
R4KM-4416-1E Δ51780 XEtched side B
Bell Sound (MR)Stamped both sides
R4KM 4415Side A label
R4KM-4415-1Drunout A, etched
R4KM-4416-1Drunout B, etched
["Bell Sound" script logo]runout A & B, stamped
Irunout A & B, stamped
TF-80168 R-1 A̶B̶C̶-̶R̶4̶K̶M̶4̶4̶1̶5̶A-Side runout, etched
TF-80169-R-1 A̶B̶C̶-̶R̶4̶K̶M̶4̶4̶1̶6̶B-Side runout, etched
45-TF 80168RIA-side label
45-TF 80169RIB-side label
R4KM-4415-1F Δ51780A-Side Runout Etching
R4KM-4416-1F Δ51780 XB-Side Runout Etching
Bell SoundRunout both sides, stamped
R4KM 4415On Label, Side A
R4KM-4415-1Arunout A, etched
R4KM-4416-1Arunout B, etched
["Bell Sound" script logo]runout A & B, stamped
Irunout A & B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | 20th Century Fox Records TK-585First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Canada | 20th Century Fox Records F-477XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Japan | 20th Century Fox Records JET-1404First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | UK | Stateside SS 290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 477First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 477First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 477First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 45-6477First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 477First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 477First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 477First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 477First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 477First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 477First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1964 | US | 20th Century Fox 3-008First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Kiss Me Sailor are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is 20th Century Fox Records 477.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 477, 45-6477, 3-008, SS 290) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R4KM-4415-1A A and R4KM-4416-1A B3. 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.
