Vinyl pressings
by Joshua Rifkin · 1965
The Baroque Beatles Book was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1965, the album's first year, in 5 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.
EKL-306-A-2 N 5-2 1165Variant 1, Side A runout etched
EKL-306-B-2 N 5-2 11.65Variant 1, Side B runout etched
EKL-306-A-6 / Ⓓ5-4 12.65Variant 2, Side A runout etched
EKL-306-B-6 // Ⓓ5-4 12.65Variant 2, Side A runout etched
EKS-7306 A -2 5-5 11-65Etched Side A
EKS-7306 B -1 5-5 11-65Etched Side B
EKS-7306A-5 20 5 1265 ⒶSide A runout, etched, variant 1
EKS 7306B-5 20 5 1265 ⒶSide B runout, etched, variant 1
EKS-7306A-2 5-5 11-65 2Side A runout, etched & 2 stamped, variant 2
EKS 7306B-5 -1 5-5 11-65 1 111 NSide B runout, etched & N stamped, variant 2
EKS-7306 A -4 A 1-5 11-65 △8659Side A [etched]
EKS-7306 B -4 4-5 11-65 △8659-XSide B [etched]
EKS 7306 A (AL-1)
EKS-7306 B (AL-1) A R C 8 - 7- 8
EKS-7306A -2 5-5 11.65Side A runout (etched)
EKS-7306B -1 5-5 11.65Side B runout (etched)
EKS-7306-ASide A Label
EKS-7306-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Australia | Elektra EKL-306First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Australia | Elektra EKS-7306First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | France | Disques Vogue INTS 40030 / Disques Vogue INTS. 40030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | France | Disques Vogue INT 40030 / Disques Vogue INT. 40030First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5152First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | Elektra EKS-7306First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | Elektra EKL-306First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Elektra EKL-306First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Elektra EKS-7306First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Elektra EKS-7306LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Elektra EKS-7306First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Elektra EKS-7306First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Elektra EKS-7306First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Elektra EKS-7306LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1966 | Mexico | CBS CL-5152LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Argentina | Elektra 14.077 / Music Hall 14.077LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Elektra ELK 42 164LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Canada | Elektra EKL-306LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Elektra EKS-7306LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Nonesuch H-7306LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-7306LP, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-7306LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Elektra EKL-306LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Elektra EKL-306LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
25 vinyl pressings of The Baroque Beatles Book are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1965 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, UK, Australia, France and more. One of them is Elektra EKL-306.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKL-306, EKS-7306, INTS 40030, INT 40030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKL-306-A-2 N 5-2 1165 and EKL-306-B-2 N 5-2 11.65. 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.
