Vinyl pressings
by Harry Belafonte · 1956
Mary's Boy Child 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.
11 pressings came out in 1956, 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.
G2 PB 4902 1S 1 ɪSide A runout, variant 1
E3 VB 1096-1S 3 ɪSide B runout, variant 1
G2 PB 4902 1S 3 ɪSide A runout, variant 2
E3 VB 1096-1S 3 ɪSide B runout, variant 2
G2 PW4902-4S BI R DA side runout stamped
E3 VW1096-6S AI R DB side runout stamped
G2PW-4902A side label
E3VW-1096B side label
G2 PW4902-6S ɪ A1Side A runout stamped
E3 VW1096-2S ɪ A1Side B runout stamped
G2PW-4902Side A label
E3VW-1096Side B label
G2 PW4902-2S C1A side runout stamped
E3 VW1096-2S A3B side runout stamped
G2PW-4902A side label
E3VW-1096B side label
G2 PW4902-6S I A5Side A runout
E3 VW1096-2S I A5Side B runout
G2PW-4902Side A label
E3VW-1096Side B 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 | Canada | RCA Victor 447-0323First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-6735First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-6735First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-6735 / RCA 47-6735First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-67357", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-6735 / RCA 47-6735First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Trinidad & Tobago | RCA Victor 447-0323First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6735First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6735First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6735First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 47-6735First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor 20-6735First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-67357", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-67357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Australia | RCA 102507", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Trinidad & Tobago | RCA Victor 447-03237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA 102507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | RCA 102507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | RCA 102507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | RCA 102507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 102507", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-67357", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Germany | RCA 47-67357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor 47-6735 / RCA 47-67357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | New Zealand | RCA 47-67357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | New Zealand | RCA 47-67357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Norway | RCA 47-67357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
31 vinyl pressings of Mary's Boy Child are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1956 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, Canada, Germany, Trinidad & Tobago. One of them is RCA Victor 20-6735, released December 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 20-6735, 47-6735, 447-0323) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G2 PB 4902 1S 1 ɪ and E3 VB 1096-1S 3 ɪ. 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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