Vinyl pressings
by Herman's Hermits · 1967
Blaze was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1967, 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.
SE-4478 SIDE-1 MGS-988-1Side A runout etched, variant 1
SE-4478 S-2 MGS-989Side B runout etched, variant 1
SE-4478 S-1 MGS-988Side A runout etched, variant 2
SE-4478 S-2 MGS-989Side B runout etched, variant 2
SE-4478 S-1 MGS-988 [Block-shaped S]Side A, variant 1
SE-4478 S-2 MGS-989 [Block-shaped SSide B, variant 1
SE-4478 SIDE-1 MGS-988-3 11 [Block-shaped S]Side A, variant 2
SE-4478 S-2 MGS-989 21 [Block-shaped S]Side B, variant 2
E 4478 SIDe1 MG 988 [Block-shaped "S"]Side A runout
E 4478 SIDe2 MG989 [Block-shaped "S"]Side B runout
SE-4478 S-1 MGS-988 15 SRunout side A, etched & stamped
SE-4478 S-2 MGS-989 1C SRunout side B, etched & stamped
MGS-988Label side A
MGS-989Label side B
SE 4478 SIDE 1 MGS-988-1Runout side A, variant 1
SE 4478 SIDE 2 MGS-989-1Runout side B, variant 1
SE 4478 S-1 MGS- 988Runout side A, variant 2
SE 4478 SIDE-2 MGS-989-1Runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Canada | Quality V 1808First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Canada | Quality SV 1808First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Canada | Quality V1808 / Quality V 1808First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Philippines | Parlophone PLP 1041 / Parlophone PLP 1041First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Philippines | Parlophone PLPS 1041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | South Africa | Columbia JSX 112First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | South Africa | Columbia SCXJ 112First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | UK | Columbia SCXC 35First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | MGM Records SE-4478 / MGM Records SE 4478First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | MGM Records SE-4478 / MGM Records SE4478First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | MGM Records ST-91286 / MGM Records SE-4478LP, Album, Stereo, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Stereo, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1967 | US | MGM Records E-4478 / MGM Records E4478First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | MGM Records SE 4478First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1967 | US | MGM Records T-91286 / MGM Records E-4478LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| 1967 | US | MGM Records SE 4478 / MGM Records SE-4478First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | ABKCO 8301112", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2015 | US | ABKCO 8301-112", 45 RPM, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | World Record Club SLZ 8194LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | US | MGM Records SE-4478 / MGM Records SE 4478LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Blaze are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1967 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Canada, Philippines and more. One of them is MGM Records SE-4478.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SE-4478, E-4478, SE 4478, SCXC 35) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SE-4478 SIDE-1 MGS-988-1 and SE-4478 S-2 MGS-989. 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.
