Vinyl pressings
by John Lee Hooker · 1961
The Folk Lore Of John Lee Hooker 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.
3 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 2 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.
61-1770-1 A AudioMatrix BellSoundRunout side A
61-1771 2-17-61 AudioMatrix BellSoundRunout side B
61-1770Label, side A
61-1771Label, side B
Side 1 S61 1770 Stamped Bell Sound ARP
Side 2 S61 1771 ARP Stamped Bell Sound
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 | Vee Jay Records SR 1033 / Vee Jay Records VJS 1033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1961 | US | Vee Jay Records LP 1033 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 1033First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Vee Jay Records VJLP 1033 / Vee Jay Records SR 1033First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1962 | UK | Stateside SL 10014LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | Stateside SL 10014LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Vee Jay Records SR 1033 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 1033LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Vee Jay Records LP 1033 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 1033LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Joy Records JOYS 133LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Italy | Get Back GET 7516LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | DOL DOL1133LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2016 | Europe | Vinyl Lovers 6785447LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Vee Jay Records VJS 1033LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Vee Jay Records LP 1033LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of The Folk Lore Of John Lee Hooker are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1961 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, Canada. One of them is Vee Jay Records LP 1033, released August 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LP 1033, VJLP 1033, SR 1033) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 61-1770-1 A AudioMatrix BellSound and 61-1771 2-17-61 AudioMatrix 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.
