Vinyl pressings
by Frank Loesser · 1956
The Most Happy Fella 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.
3 pressings came out in 1956, 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.
XLP38353-3AD . . ☆Side A stamped, variant 1
XLP38354-1D . ☆Side B stamped, variant 1
XLP38353-3AD . . ☆Side A stamped, variant 2
XLP38354-1F . ☆Side B stamped, variant 2
XLP38353-3K ☆ HSide A runout
XLP38354-1B. ☆ H XVISide B runout
XLP 38353Side A label
XLP 38354Side B label
(x"Lp" 38353)Side A label matrix
(x"Lp" 38354)Side B label matrix
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 | Columbia Masterworks OL 5118First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia Masterworks OL 5118First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia Masterworks OL 5118 / Columbia Masterworks OL-5118First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | UK | Philips BBL 7374LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Columbia Masterworks OS 2330LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Columbia PRL 5030LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Coronet KLL 1630LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks OS 2330LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Columbia AOS2330LP | LP |
| ? | US | Columbia OL 5118LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of The Most Happy Fella are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1956 and 1963.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia Masterworks OL 5118.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use OL 5118) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XLP38353-3AD . . ☆ and XLP38354-1D . ☆. 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.
