Vinyl pressings
by John McCormack · 1940
The Star Of The County Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1940. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1940, 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.
OEA 8322I⬜ A 1A side runout (Variant 1)
OEA 8323I⬜ AB side runout (Variant 1)
OEA8322ᴵ□ P 2A side runout (Variant 2)
OEA8323ᴵ□ M 2B side runout (Variant 2)
OEA 8322I⬜ A 1A side runout, variant 1
OEA 8323I⬜ AB side runout, variant 1
OEA8322ᴵ□ P 2A side runout, variant 2
OEA8323ᴵ□ M 2B side runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Australia | His Master's Voice D.A.1718First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1940 | UK | His Master's Voice D.A.1718Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| 1940 | UK | His Master's Voice D.A.1718First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | UK | His Master's Voice 7P 2117", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | His Master's Voice 7P 2117", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Ireland | His Master's Voice 7P (I) 2117", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Ireland | His Master's Voice I.R.200Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| ? | Ireland | His Master's Voice 7P (I) 2117", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| ? | South Africa | His Master's Voice 7PJ 7267", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice 7P 2117", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of The Star Of The County Down are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1940 and 1959.
The earliest pressings are from 1940, in UK, Australia. One of them is His Master's Voice D.A.1718.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use D.A.1718) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, OEA 8322I⬜ A 1 and OEA 8323I⬜ A. 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.
