Vinyl pressings
by Harley Quinne · 1972
New Orleans was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, the album's first year, in 11 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.
2008 102 S1 ℗1972 320 H 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
2008 102 S2 ℗1972 320 G 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
2008 102 S1 ℗1972 320 F 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
2008 102 S2 ℗1972 320 CRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
BELL 1255 A-3U M KT 1Side A runout, stamped variant 1
BELL 1255 B-2U H KT 1Side B runout, stamped variant 1
BELL 1255 A-3U R KT 1Side A runout, stamped variant 2
BELL 1255 B-2U P KT 1Side B runout, stamped variant 2
#1455-2-I-I Bell Sound sf PRRunout Side A
# 1456-2-I-I Bell Sound sf PR PRunout Side B
1455Label Side A
1456Label Side B
#1455-S 3 (MR) BELL SOUND sf Δ89592Runout Side A
#1455-3 BELL SOUND sf (MR) Δ89593Runout Side B
(1455-S)Label Side A
(1456)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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | Bell Records 2008 102First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Australia | Bell Records 2008 102First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Belgium | Bell Records 2008 102First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Canada | Bell Records BELL 45269XFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | France | Bell Records 2008 102First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Bell Records 2008 102First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Ireland | Bell Records BELL 1255First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Mexico | Bell Records 253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Bell Records 2008 102First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | UK | Bell Records BELL 1255First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45.269First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,269First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Bell Records 45,269First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Italy | Bell Records 2008 1027", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Japan | Bell Records BLPA-337", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | Bell Records 20081027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of New Orleans are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Bell Records 2008 102.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2008 102, BELL 1255, 45,269, 45.269) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2008 102 S1 ℗1972 320 H 1 and 2008 102 S2 ℗1972 320 G 1. 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.
