Vinyl pressings
by Joe Dowell · 1961
Wooden Heart 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.
11 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.
YW 20399 11 FSSide A, Runout, variant 1
YW 20969 5 FSSide B, Runout, variant 1
YW 20399 12 FSSide A runout, stamped [FS etched], variant 2
YW 20969 8 FSSide B runout stamped [FS etched], variant 2
YW 20399 4Stamper, side A, variant 1
YW 20969 2Stamper, side B, variant 1
YW 20399 3 FStamper, side A, variant 2
YW 20969 2 FStamper, side B, variant 2
YW20399Side A label
YW20969Side B label
YW 20399 1 E7880Deadwax A
YW 20969 1 E7883Deadwax B
YW 20399 3 2-FRunout side A
YW20399Label, side A
YW20969Label, side B
YW 20969 2 1F S
YW20399Side A, Matrix
YW20969Side B, Matrix
YW 20399 1Side A, Runout
YW 20969 4Side B, Runout
YW 20399 2 FFA-Side Runout
YW 20969 2 FFB-Side Runout
YW20399A-Side Label
YW20969B-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 | Canada | Mercury S-1708XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1961 | Greece | Mercury 45-3065First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Hong Kong | Mercury H.K. 400 X 45First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Jamaica | Smash Records S-1708First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Japan | Mercury MS-140First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | US | Smash Records S-1708 / Smash Records SMASH S-1708First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | US | Smash Records S-1708First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1961 | US | Smash Records S-1708First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1961 | US | Smash Records S-1708First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1961 | US | Smash Records S-1708 / Smash Records SMASH S-1708First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1961 | US | Smash Records S-1708First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Germany | Mercury 874 838-77", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Denmark | Mercury YW 20399 / Mercury 45-B 10027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Wooden Heart are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1961 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, Canada, Greece, Hong Kong and more. One of them is Smash Records S-1708, released June 5, 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S-1708, S-1708X, 45-3065, H.K. 400 X 45) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YW 20399 11 FS and YW 20969 5 FS. 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.
