Vinyl pressings
by Jerry Butler · 1961
Moon River / Aware Of Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1961, 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.
61-2154 AUDIOMATRIX BELLSOUNDStamped side A, except 61-2154 etched, var 1
61-1971 BELLSOUNDStamped side B, except 61-1971 etched, var 1
61-2154-114 ARP Bell Sound AudioMatrixStamped side A, except 61-2154 etched, var 2
61-1971 ARP Bell SoundStamped side B, except 61-1971 etched, var 2
61-2154Label side A
61-1971Label side B
61-2154 AudioMatrix (MR) △40209 Bell SoundSide A etched & stamped
45-61-1971 (MR) △40230Side B etched & stamped
61-2154A-side label
61-1971B-side label
61-2154 AUDIOMATRIX BELLSOUNDStamped side A, except 61-2154 etched
61-1971 BELLSOUNDStamped side B, except 61-1971 etched
61-2154A-side label
61-1971B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Australia | Top Rank International TRK 160First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | New Zealand | Top Rank International JAR-413First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Norway | Karusell KFF 365First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Sweden | Karusell KFF 365First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1961 | UK | Columbia 45-DB 4743First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ 405First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ 405First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ 405First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1961 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ 405First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Italy | Vee Jay Records VJ 090017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | New Zealand | Allied International JAR-4137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Oldies 45 OL 317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Oldies 45 OL 317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Vee Jay Records VJ-405X7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Denmark | Karusell KFF 3657", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Netherlands | Imperial Al 10017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Collectables COL 14407", 45 RPM, Reissue, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Single |
| ? | US | Vee Jay Records VJ 4057", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | Lost Nite Records LN 2847" | 7" |
| ? | US | Collectables COl 14407", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Oldies 45 OL 317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Lost Nite Records LN 2847", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
22 vinyl pressings of Moon River / Aware Of Love are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1961 and 1963.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and more. One of them is Vee Jay Records VJ 405.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VJ 405, 45-DB 4743, TRK 160, JAR-413) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 61-2154 AUDIOMATRIX BELLSOUND and 61-1971 BELLSOUND. 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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