Vinyl pressings
by Eumir Deodato · 1982
Happy Hour was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. 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 1982, the album's first year, in 7 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.
WB17960 A 23C1Runout side A
WB17960 B 23C1Runout side B
WB 17.960-ALabel side A
WB 17.960-BLabel side B
K 17960 T A-1 W-LA Side runout, etched
K 17960 T B-2 W-LB Side runout, etched
STRAWBERRYRunouts, stamped
PRO-A1-1032-SH1 ɑ B-16729-SH1 + SLm △1527 STERLING
PRO-A2-1032-SH1 ɑ B-16730-SH1 + SLm △1527 STERLING
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WB 17.960 / Warner Bros. Records WB.17.960First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Warner Bros. Records PRO 606First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Promo, Limited Edition · Promo, Limited | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Promo, Limited Edition · Promo, Limited |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 26232 / Warner Bros. Records WB 26.232First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17960(T)First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17960First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17960(T)First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-1032First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29984First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29984First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-103212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 960First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Happy Hour are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in Benelux, UK, US, Germany and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WB 17.960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WB 17.960, K 17960(T), K 17960, 7-29984) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WB17960 A 23C1 and WB17960 B 23C1. 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.
