Vinyl pressings
by George Hamilton IV · 1963
Abilene / Oh So Many Years was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1963, 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.
PWKM-0217--3S AD IRunout, Side A, Stamped, Variant 1
PWKM-0219--3S B2 IRunout, Side B, Stamped, Variant 1
PWKM-0217--3S A1 IRunout, Side A, Stamped, Variant 2
PWKM-0219--3S A1 IRunout, Side B, Stamped, Variant 2
PWKM-0217--4SRunout, Side A, Stamped
PWKM-0219--4SRunout, Side B, Stamped
PWKM-0217Label Side A
PWKM-0219Label Side B
PWKM-0217--2S RRunout, Side A, Stamped - VARIANT 1
PWKM-0219--2S RRunout, Side B, Stamped - VARIANT 1
PWKM-0217--1S A2 RRunout, Side A, Stamped - VARIANT 2
PWKM-0219--2S RRunout, Side B, Stamped - VARIANT 2
PWKM-0217-1T U 1Runout Side A
PWKM-0219-2C U 1Runout Side B
PWKM-0217Label Side A
PWKM-0219Label Side B
PWKM-0217Label Side A
PWKM-0219Label Side B
PWKM-0217-1T B KV 1A-side runout
PWKM-0219-2C B KV 1B-ride runout
PWKM-0217A-side label
PWKM-0219B-side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Australia | RCA 101519First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-8181First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victor RCA-1353 / RCA Victor 47-8181First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victor RCA-1353 / RCA Victor 47-8181First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victor RCA-1353 / RCA Victor 47-8181First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | RCA Victor 47-8181First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | RCA Victor 47-8181First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | RCA Victor 47-8181First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 17847", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1969 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 17847", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | US | RCA 2722-7-R7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | RCA Victor 41.6217", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
12 vinyl pressings of Abilene / Oh So Many Years are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1963 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is RCA Victor 47-8181.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-8181, RCA-1353, 101519) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PWKM-0217--3S AD I and PWKM-0219--3S B2 I. 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.
