Vinyl pressings
by Lenny Welch · 1969
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 3 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.
CUR-007 LWELabel A
CUR-008 LWELabel B
C-3004 CUR-007 LWE △78997Deadwax A
CUR-008 LWE C-3004 △78997-XDeadwax B
ARP CUR-007 LWE .RM.A-side runout
ARP CUR-008 LWE .RM.B-side runout
CUR-007 LWEA-side label
CUR-008 LWEB-side label
CUR-007-LWE-II C-3004Side A (Variant 1)
CUR-008-LWE-I C-3004Side B (Variant 1)
CUR-007-LWE -I C-3004 T1Side A (Variant 2)
CUR-008-LWE -I C-3004 T1Side B (Variant 2)
CUR-007 LWE •RM• S-106Side A Runout
CUR-008 LWE •RM• S-108Side B Runout
CUR-007 LWESide A Label
CUR-008 LEWSide B Label
p CUR-007-LWE C-3004 Pc-2A-Side Runout Etching
p CUR-008-LWE C-3004 Pc-2B-Side Runout Etching
CUR 007 LWEA-Side Label
CUR 008 LWEB-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Commonwealth United Records C 3004First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Canada | Commonwealth United Records C 3004First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | UK | Major Minor MM 707First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Commonwealth United Records C 3004First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Commonwealth United Records C 3004First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Commonwealth United Records C-3004First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Commonwealth United Records C-3004First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Commonwealth United Records C 3004First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Commonwealth United Records C 3004First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Spain | Exit Records 2557 b7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Commonwealth United Records C 3004, released December 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C 3004, C-3004, MM 707) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CUR-007 LWE and CUR-008 LWE. 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.
