Vinyl pressings
by Harry Belafonte · 1956
Jamaica Farewell 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.
15 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.
G2 PW4916 - 2SRunout area side A, variant 1
G2 PW4908 - 2SRunout area side B, variant 1
G2 PW4916 - 2S I B2Runout area side A, variant 2
G2 PW4908 - 2S I A4Runout area side B, variant 2
G2 PW4916-3S B3 RA-Side Runout Etching
G2 PW4908-3S A5 RB-Side Runout Etching
G2PW-4916A-Side Label
G2PW-4908B-Side Label
G2 PW4916-4S H JVSide A runout
G2 PW4908-4S H JVSide B runout
G2PW-4916Side A label
G2PW-4908Side B label
G2 PW4916-8S RCA AA side runout
G2 PW4908-6S RCA AB side runout
G2PW-4916A side label
G2PW-4908B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Australia | RCA 10215First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Australia | RCA 10215First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Australia | RCA 10215First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-6663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-6663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-6663First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA 20-6663First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | New Zealand | RCA 47-6663First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1956 | Norway | RCA 47-6663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 20-6663First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 20-6663First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor 20-666310", 78 RPM | 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Finland | RCA Victor 47-66637", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-66637", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 47-66637", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-66637", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
24 vinyl pressings of Jamaica Farewell are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1956 and 1958.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Victor 47-6663.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-6663, 20-6663, 10215) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G2 PW4916 - 2S and G2 PW4908 - 2S. 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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