Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1978
Hammer Horror was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 13 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.
EMI 2887 A-3 L WERE ALL PLAYING A HUNCH! 1Runout side A, variant 1
EMI 2887 B-1 GD 2Runout side B, variant 1
EMI 2887 A-1 L WERE ALL PLAYING A HUNCH!! 1Runout side A, variant 2
EMI 2887 B-1 DA 2Runout side B, variant 2
EMI 2887 A-1Runout, Side A
EMI 2887 A-2 L WERE ALL PLAYING A HUNCH!!Runout, Side A
EMI 2887 A-3 G WERE ALL PLAYING A HUNCH!Side A Label
EMI 2887 B-1 GSide B Label
EMI 2887 A-3 GP WERE ALL PLAYING A HUNCH! 1Side A, Stamped/Etched
EMI 2887 B-1 GT 2Side B, Stamped
EMI-11837A-2Side A, Etched
EMI-11837BSide B, Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | EMI EMI-11837First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | EMI EMI-11837First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Australia | EMI EMI 11837First year7", Single Sided, Single | 7", Single Sided, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | EMI 4C006-06877First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 06976First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-06877 / EMI 006-06877First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-06877 / EMI 068777", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Ireland | EMI EMI 288.7 / EMI EMI 2887First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-06877 / EMI 3C 006 - 06877First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 006-06877 / EMI 5C 006-6877First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 2887First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Portugal | EMI 8E 006 06877 F / EMI E 006 - 06 877First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | EMI 7C 006-06877First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4232First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-006.877First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Art & Muzyka ARM - 46193 - 1Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| ? | Poland | Art & Muzyka ARM ‒ 22151 ‒ 1Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 28877", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
25 vinyl pressings of Hammer Horror are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Belgium, Brazil and more. One of them is EMI EMI 2887, released October 27, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 2887, EMI-11837, EMI 11837, 4C006-06877) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 2887 A-3 L WERE ALL PLAYING A HUNCH! 1 and EMI 2887 B-1 GD 2. 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.
