Vinyl pressings
by Harry Belafonte · 1956
Banana Boat (Day-O) / Star-O 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.
18 pressings came out in 1956, the album's first year, in 6 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.
F2 PW8702-2S I A4A-side runout, variant 1
F2 PW8703-3S I A1B-side runout, variant 1
F2 PW8702-3S I A2A-side runout, variant 2
F2 PW8702-2S I A5B-side runout, variant 2
D F2 PW8702-5S RCA1A-Side Runout Etching
O F2 PW8703-5S RCAA-Side Runout Etching
(F2PW-8702)A-Side Label
(F2PW-8703)B-Side Label
F2 PW8702-7S H 1 B1A side runout, variant 1
F2 PW-8703-8S H B1B side runout, variant 1
F2 PW8702-8S H 1 A1A side runout, variant 2
F2 PW-8703-7S H A1B side runout, variant 2
F2PB-8702Side A
F2PB-8703Side B
F2 PB 8702 7SSide A [stamped]
F2 PB 8703 7SSide B [stamped]
5/1 F2 PW 8702A
5/1 F2 PW 8703B
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 | Belgium | RCA 47.6771First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-6771First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor 20-6771First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-6771First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1956 | France | RCA Victor 47-6771First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA 47-6771First year7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono | 7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA 47-6771First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA 47-6771First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA 47-6771First year7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono | 7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA 47-6771First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA 47-6771First year7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono | 7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono |
| 1956 | Italy | RCA Italiana A25V 0556First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | Italy | RCA Italiana A25V 0556First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6771First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6771First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-15 125 / RCA 47-15 1257", 45 RPM, Mono, Reissue · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono, Reissue · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-27067", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | RCA 20.6771Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Brazil | RCA Victor 82-1233Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | RCA Victor 45.3997", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-67717", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono | 7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 47-67717", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-67717", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-67717", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-67717", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 47-15 125 / RCA 47-15 1257", 45 RPM, Mono, Reissue · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono, Reissue · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-67717", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Italy | RCA Italiana 45N 0556 / RCA Victor 45N 05567", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | New Zealand | RCA 47-67717", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Norway | RCA 20-6771Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Norway | RCA 47-67717", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | RCA Victor 47-67717", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
57 vinyl pressings of Banana Boat (Day-O) / Star-O are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1956 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, Belgium, Canada, France and more. One of them is RCA Victor 47-6771.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-6771, 20-6771, 47.6771, A25V 0556) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F2 PW8702-2S I A4 and F2 PW8703-3S I A1. 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.
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1956 · 108 pressings
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1959 · 94 pressings
Cocoanut Woman / Island In The Sun
1957 · 76 pressings
Belafonte Returns To Carnegie Hall
1960 · 65 pressings
An Evening With Belafonte / Mouskouri
1965 · 63 pressings
To Wish You A Merry Christmas
1958 · 53 pressings
