Vinyl pressings
by Hoyt Axton · 1963
Saturday's Child was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year. 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.
[MR logo] H-9396 △ 5841 ARPSide A, runout
[MR logo] H-9397 ARP △ 5841-XSIde B, runout
63-3554-HSide A, label
63-3555-HSide B, label
H-9396 △ 5841Side A, runout
H-9397 ARP △ 5841-XSide B, runout
63-3554-HSide A, label
63-3555-HSide B, label
63-3554-H
63-3555-H
(MR) H-9396 Δ 5841 𝒜𝑅𝒫
(MR) H-9397 𝒜𝑅𝒫 Δ 5841-X
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | US | Horizon Records WP-1621First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Vee Jay Records VJLP-1127First yearLP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1963 | US | Horizon Records WP-1621 / Horizon Records WPLP1621First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1963 | US | Horizon Records WP-1621 / Horizon Records WPLP1621First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Horizon Records WP-1621 / Horizon Records WPLP1621First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ 1127 / Vee Jay Records VJLP-1127LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Vee Jay Records VJS 1127 / Vee Jay Records VJSLP-1127LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ 1127 / Vee Jay Records VJLP-1127LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Vee Jay Records VJS 1127LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Vee Jay Records VJLP-1127LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Exodus Records EXS-321LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Troubadour TRL-E-1246LP | LP |
12 vinyl pressings of Saturday's Child are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1963 and 1966.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US. One of them is Horizon Records WP-1621, released December 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WP-1621, VJLP-1127) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [MR logo] H-9396 △ 5841 ARP and [MR logo] H-9397 ARP △ 5841-X. 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.
