Vinyl pressings
by Emile Ford & The Checkmates · 1960
On A Slow Boat To China was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1960, the album's first year, in 9 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.
45 XX 1245 A PT 2 1 E/T IRunout area side A - variant 1
45 XX 1245 B-2 3 E/T YRunout area side B - variant 1
45 XX 1245 A-3WMRunout area side A - variant 2
45 XX 1245 B-2Runout area side B - variant 2
45.XX.1245-ALabel side A
45.XX.1245-BLabel side B
45 XX 1245 A-3WM 4 E/T BA-side runout, stamped; "E/T" and "B" etched
45 XX 1245 B-2 6 E/T IA-side runout, stamped; "6", "E/T" and "I" etched
45.XX.1245-AA-side label
45.XX.1245-BB-side label
XX 1245 A-1Runout area side A
XX 1245 B-2Runout area side B
XX.1245-ALabel side A
XX.1245-BLabel side B
AA0041-ALabel side A
AA0041-BLabel side B
N-45-PVXX-8450-PRunout side A
N-45-PVXX-8451-PRunout side B
(N. 45-PVXX. 8450)Label side A
(N. 45-PVXX. 8451)Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Australia | Pye Records PP-042First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | France | Disques Vogue 45-PV. 15089 / Pye Records 45-PV. 15089First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Germany | Metronome B 1382First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Italy | Pye Records ND. 2157First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Netherlands | Pye Nixa NH 5035First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | New Zealand | Pye Nixa 7N 15245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | New Zealand | Pye Nixa 7N 15245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Norway | Pye Records 7N 15245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Sweden | Metronome B 1382First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Pye Records 7N.15245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Pye Records N.15245First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Denmark | Metronome Records AB B 13827", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of On A Slow Boat To China are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Pye Records 7N.15245.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7N.15245, N.15245, PP-042, 45-PV. 15089) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45 XX 1245 A PT 2 1 E/T I and 45 XX 1245 B-2 3 E/T Y. 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.
