Vinyl pressings
by Douglas Adams · 1979
The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy 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.
6 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 2 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.
ORA-42-A-3 A1VSide A runout, etched, variant 1
ORA 42-B-1 A2I 'W' ECCENTRICA 5010-345-1059Side B runout, etched, variant 1
ORA-42-C-2 A2N 'W'Side C runout, etched, variant 1
ORA-42-D-2 A2H ZZ9 PLURAL Z αSide D runout, etched, variant 1
ORA-42-A-3 A1V TY CBSA-side run-out, hand-etched, variant 1
ORA 42-B-1 A2I 'W' ECCENTRICA 5010-345-1059 TY CBSB-side run-out, hand-etched, variant 1
ORA-42-C-2 A2N 'W' TY CBSC-side run-out, hand-etched, variant 1
ORA-42-D-2 A2H ZZ9 PLURAL Z [Fish symbol] TY CBSD-side run-out, hand-etched, variant 1
ORA-42-A-3 W-6 TY-CBS A1A-side run-out, hand-etched
ORA 42-B-1 ECCENTRICA 5010-345-1059 TY-CBS W-1KDB-side run-out, hand-etched
ORA-42-C-2 A2 TY-CBS W-3C-side run-out, hand-etched
ORA-42-D-2 ZZ9 PLURAL Z [Fish symbol] A2 W-4D-side run-out, hand-etched
ORA-42-A-3 TY-CBSSide A runout, etched
ORA 42-B-1 ECCENTRICA 5010-345-1059 TY-CBSSide B runout, etched
W-3 ORA 42 C-1 TY-CBSSide C runout, etched
A2 W-3 ORA-42-D-2 ZZ9 PLURAL ZSide D runout, etched
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 | Canada | Original Records ORA42First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | UK | Original Records ORA 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Original Records ORA 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Original Records ORA 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Original Records ORA 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Original Records ORA 42First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Original Records MLR 2-444 / Original Records MLR 2 444LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Original Records MLR2 444LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Original Records MLR 2-444 / Original Records MLR2 444LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Hannibal Records HNBL 2301LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Hannibal Records HNBL 2301LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Hannibal Records HNBL 2301LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Hannibal Records HNBL 2301LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Hannibal Records HNBL 2301LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1979 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Canada. One of them is Original Records ORA 42.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ORA 42, ORA42) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ORA-42-A-3 A1V and ORA 42-B-1 A2I 'W' ECCENTRICA 5010-345-1059. 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.
