Vinyl pressings
by Les Paul & Mary Ford · 1953
Don'cha Hear Them Bells / The Kangaroo was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1953, the album's first year, in 4 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.
45-11879-D2Etched Runout [The Kangaroo], variant 1
45-11878-D1#3 ⌂A Side Etched Runout, variant 2
45-11879-D1#3 ⌂B Side Etched Runout, variant 2
45-11878Label [Don'cha Hear Them Bells]
45-11878Label A
45-11879Label B
45-11878-D5 1 ☆Deadwax A
45-11879-D5 1 ☆Deadwax B
11878-D3A-Side Runout - Stamped
11879-D4B-Side Runout - Stamped
45-11878-D1 [Anvil symbol]A side runout
45-11879-D1 [Anvil symbol]B side runout
45-11878A side label
45-11879B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Canada | Capitol Records C-1233First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | Denmark | Capitol Records C 2614First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | Germany | Capitol Records CF 2614First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records F2614First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records 2614First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records 2614First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records F2614First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records F2614First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1954 | UK | Capitol Records CL.14032Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Capitol Records 2614Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records CF 26147", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records C 2614Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 2614Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Norway | Capitol Records C 2614Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Switzerland | Capitol Records CL 2614Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Capitol Records 2614Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of Don'cha Hear Them Bells / The Kangaroo are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1953 and 1954.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US, Canada, Denmark, Germany. One of them is Capitol Records F2614.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F2614, 2614, C-1233, C 2614) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-11879-D2 and 45-11878-D1#3 ⌂. 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.
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