Vinyl pressings
by James Last · 1969
Hair was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 9 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.
1 ℗ 1969 G9 ♢Z ⊂⊃ 00 249327 S1Runout side A, variant 1
1 ℗ 1969 G9 ♢Z 00 249327 S2Runout side B, variant 1
8 ℗ 1969 G9 ♢Z AI 00 249327 S1Runout side A, variant 2
9 ℗ 1969 G9 ♢Z D 00 249327 S2 1Runout side B, variant 2
P 1969 G9 <> Z O 00 249327 S1
P 1969 G9 <> Z R 00 249327 S2
13 ℗ 1969 ꓤ G9 ⟡ Z 00 249327 S1Runout side A
9 ℗ 1969 G9 ⟡ Z O 00 249327 S2 1Runout side B
249-327 ALabel Side A
249-327 BLabel Side B
249327 ALabel Side A
249327 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Austria | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Austria | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | Polydor 543.062First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | Polydor 543.062First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Mozambique | Polydor 249327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Polydor 249327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Scandinavia | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | South Africa | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Polydor 249 327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Polydor 24-6004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 249 327LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Polydor MP 2060LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Chile | Polydor 249 327 / Polydor 1249 327LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Polydor 249327LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Polydor 543.062LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2416 189LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Hair are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1969 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in Germany, UK, US, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor 249 327.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 249 327, 24-6004, 543.062, 249327) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 ℗ 1969 G9 ♢Z ⊂⊃ 00 249327 S1 and 1 ℗ 1969 G9 ♢Z 00 249327 S2. 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.
