Vinyl pressings
by Dollar · 1979
I Wanna Hold Your Hand was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
CAR 131 A-1 [lyre symbol]Runout side A, variant 1
CAR 131 B-2 [lyre symbol]Runout side B, variant 1
CAR 131 A-1 [lyre symbol]Runout side A, variant 2
CAR 131 B-1 [lyre symbol]Runout side B, variant 2
CAR 131 A-1Side A
CAR 131 B1Side B
CAR 131 A-4 BVA side, etched
STRAWBERRYA side, stamped
CAR 131 B-2 BD [lyre symbol]B side, etched
CAR 131 AA-side label
ST-CAR-38174-1Side A runout
ST-CAR-38175-1Side B runout
ST-CAR-38174-SPSide A label
ST-CAR-38174-SPSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | France | Carrere 49.582 / Acrobat Records 49.582First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Carrere 49.582 / Acrobat Records 49.582First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Carrere 2044 168 / Carrere CAR 2032First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Carrere 2044 168 / Carrere CAR 2032First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Spain | Carrere CAR 0013First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Carrere CAR 131 / Acrobat Records CAR 131First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Carrere CAR 7214First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Carrere CAR 7214First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | Mexico | Carrere 11566First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Carrere CAR 131First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Carrere CAR 131First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Acrobat Records MS 376 / 7 Records MS 3767", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Brazil | Carrere 501.7057 / Top Tape 501.70577", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Carrere IS 202567", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of I Wanna Hold Your Hand are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Mexico, France and more. One of them is Carrere CAR 131, released November 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAR 131, CAR 7214, 11566, 49.582) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAR 131 A-1 [lyre symbol] and CAR 131 B-2 [lyre symbol]. 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.
