Vinyl pressings
by Gerard Hoffnung · 1960
Hoffnung At The Oxford Union 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.
4 pressings came out in 1960, 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.
CPL-2168-1AVariant 1 - Side A Runout
CPL-2169-1AVariant 1 - Side B Runout
CPL-2168-1A ETVariant 2 - Side A runout stamped
CPL-2169-1A ETVariant 2 - Side B runout stamped
CPL-2168-1AVariant 1 - Side A Runout
CPL-2169-1AVariant 1 - Side B Runout
CPL-2168-1A ETVariant 2 - Side A runout stamped
CPL-2169-1A ETVariant 2 - Side B runout stamped
CPL-2168-1AVariant 1 - Side A Runout
CPL-2169-1AVariant 1 - Side B Runout
CPL.2168Side A Label (Inverted)
CPL.2169Side B Label (Inverted)
CPL-2168-1A 21 CΛSide A Runout
CPL-2169-1A 21 CΛSide B Runout
CPL.2168Side A Label (Inverted)
CPL.2169Side B Label (Inverted)
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 | South Africa | Decca LF 1330 / Decca LF.1330First yearLP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| 1960 | UK | Decca LF 1330LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | UK | Decca LF 1330 / Decca LF.1330First yearLP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | UK | Decca LF 1330 / Decca LF.1330First yearLP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | UK | Decca LF 1330 / Decca LF.1330First yearLP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | New Zealand | Decca LFM 1330LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | Decca LF 1330LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | Decca LF 1330 / Decca LF.1330LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | Decca LF 1330LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | Decca LF 1330LP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | London Records 5606LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Decca LF 1330 / Decca LF.1330LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| ? | UK | London Records 5606LP | LP |
| ? | UK | Decca LF 1330LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
14 vinyl pressings of Hoffnung At The Oxford Union are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1960 and 1963.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in UK, South Africa. One of them is Decca LF 1330, released August 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LF 1330) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CPL-2168-1A and CPL-2169-1A. 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.
