Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Horton · 1960
Sink The Bismarck was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1960, 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.
ZSP49450-1ARun-out area side A [machine-stamped], variant 1
ZSP49451-1BRun-out area side B [machine-stamped], variant 1
ZSP49450-1ARun-out area side A [machine-stamped], variant 2
ZSP49451-1AARun-out area side B [machine-stamped], variant 2
ZSP49450-1ESide A Runout
ZSP49451-1ESide B Runout
ZSP 49450Side A Label
ZSP 49451Side B Label
ZSP49450-1KSide A Runout
ZSP49451-1GSide B Runout
ZSP 49450Side A Label
ZSP 49451Side B Label
ZSP49450-1ESide A Runout, Stamped
ZSP49451-1ESide B Runout, Stamped
ZSP 49450Side A Label
ZSP 49451Side B Label
ZSM49820-1AStamped in runout A
ZSM49821-1AStamped in runout B
ZSM 49820 JBLabel A
ZSM 49821 JBLabel B
ZSP49450-1A . .Side A runout
ZSP49451-1A.Side B runout
ZSP 49450Side A label
ZSP 49451Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Australia | Coronet KS-376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Canada | Columbia 4-41568First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Cuba | Columbia 45-166First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | New Zealand | Coronet KS376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Philips 45-PB.995First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | US | Columbia 4-41568First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | US | Columbia 4-41568First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1960 | US | Columbia 4-41568First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | US | Columbia 4-41568First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1960 | US | Columbia 4-41568First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1960 | US | Columbia S7 30568First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Jukebox, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Jukebox, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | Columbia 4-41568First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1960 | US | Columbia 4-41568First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1960 | US | Columbia 4-41568First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Sink The Bismarck are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 4-41568.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-41568, S7 30568, 45-PB.995, KS-376) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP49450-1A and ZSP49451-1B. 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.
