Vinyl pressings
by Helmut Zacharias And His Orchestra · 1964
Tokyo Melody was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 5 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.
NH 52341 A▽111 5C 2 1Side A runout, variant 1
NH 52341 B▽111 6C 1 2Side B runout, variant 1
NH 52341 A▽111 8Side A runout, variant 2
NH 52341 B▽1 1 1 4Side B runout, variant 2
52341 ALabel Side A
52341 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | Polydor NH-52341First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Germany | Polydor 52 341First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Germany | Polydor 52 341First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | UK | Polydor NH 52341First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Decca 31715First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | Decca 31715First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Decca 31715First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | Japan | Polydor DP 1360First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Belgium | Polydor 2042 1327", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Decca 317157" | 7" |
10 vinyl pressings of Tokyo Melody are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1964 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor NH 52341.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NH 52341, 31715, DP 1360, NH-52341) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NH 52341 A▽111 5C 2 1 and NH 52341 B▽111 6C 1 2. 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.
