Vinyl pressings
by Jet Harris And Tony Meehan · 1963
Diamonds 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.
22 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 15 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.
CPDRF-30068-T1-1C MT K H PTRunout - side A variant 1
CPDRF-30069-T1-1CRunout - side B variant 1
CPDRF-30068-T1-1C MT 2C TMRunout - side A variant 2
CPDRF-30069-T1-1C MT 2E TMRunout - side B variant 2
CPDRF-30068-T1-1CA-side runout
CPDRF-30069-T1-1CB-side runout
CPDR.30068A-side label
CPDR.30069B-side label
CPDRF-30068-T1-1C
CPDRF-30069-T1-1C
DR-30068-1C T1A Side Matrix/Runout
DR-30069-1C T1B Side Matrix/Runout
CPDRF 30068Label side A
CPDRF 30069Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Australia | Decca Y7098First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Belgium | Decca 23.368First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Canada | London Records L. 9589First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Denmark | Decca 45-F 11563First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Denmark | Decca 45-F 11563First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Finland | Decca 45-F 11563First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | France | Disques Decca 72.014First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Germany | Decca DL 25 100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Germany | Decca DL 25 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | Ireland | Decca 45-F 11563First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Italy | Decca 45-F 11563First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Netherlands | Decca F 11563First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | New Zealand | Decca DEC.254First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | South Africa | Decca FM.7-6963First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Sweden | Decca F 11563 / Decca 45-F 11563First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Chile | London Records 171357", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records 45-LON 95897", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | London Records 45-LON9589V7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
28 vinyl pressings of Diamonds are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in UK, US, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is Decca 45-F 11563, released January 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-F 11563, F 11563, 45-LON 9589, Y7098) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CPDRF-30068-T1-1C MT K H PT and CPDRF-30069-T1-1C. 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.
