Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1956
Heartbreak Hotel was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. 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 1956, the album's first year, in 4 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.
G2 PH2942-1S A1Side A Variant
G2 PH2943-2S B2Side B Variant
G2PH-2942Label side A
G2PH-2943Label side B
G2PH-2942Label side A
G2PH-2943Label side B
G2 PH2942-3SRunout A, var. 1
G2 PH2943-3SRunout B, var. 1
G2 PH2942-5S RCA 1 ERunout A, var. 2
G2 PH2943-5S RCA JRunout B, var. 2
G2PH-2942Label side A
G2PH-2943Label side B
G2PH-2942Side 1
G2 PH2-943Side 2
G2 PH2942-3S
G2 PH2942-3S
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor EPA-821 / RCA Victor EPA 821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor EPA 821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA EPA 821 / RCA EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA Victor EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA EPA 821 / RCA EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA EPA 821 / RCA EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Sweden | RCA EPA 821First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-821First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Germany | RCA EPA-8217", 45 RPM, EP, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Repress |
| 1962 | Germany | RCA EPA-821 / RCA EPA 8217", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1963 | Germany | RCA EPA-8217", 45 RPM, EP, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Repress |
| 1965 | Germany | RCA Victor EPA 8217", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1965 | US | RCA Victor EPA-821 / RCA Victor EPA 8217", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1965 | Japan | Victor SCP-12307", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1967 | Canada | RCA Victor EPA-821 / RCA Victor EPA 8217", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCX 71897", EP, Reissue | 7", EP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Norway | RCA EPA 8217", EP | 7", EP |
| ? | US | RCA Victor EPA-8217", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
37 vinyl pressings of Heartbreak Hotel are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1956 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, Canada, Germany, Sweden. One of them is RCA Victor EPA-821, released April 20, 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPA-821, EPA 821) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G2 PH2942-1S A1 and G2 PH2943-2S B2. 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.
