Vinyl pressings
by Link Wray And His Ray Men · 1962
Jack The Ripper / The Black Widow was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year, in 2 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.
MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. S-4137-J AI RA side (all stamped except the R)
MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. S-4137-T AI RB side (all stamped except the R)
S-4137-Jlabel and runout A
S-4137-Tlabel and runout B
S-4137-J MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. MRSide A runout, variant 1
S-4137-T MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. MRSide B runout, variant 1
S-4137-J MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. Δ47523Side A runout, variant 2
S-4137-T MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. Δ47523-XSIde B runout, variant 2
S-4137-Jlabel and runout A
S-4137-Tlabel and runout B
AudioMatrix ARP MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA S-4137-JRunout - Side A - Stamped
AudioMatrix ARP MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA S-4137-TRunout - Side B - Stamped
MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA encircled MR S-4137-JA-Side Runout Etching
MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA encircled MR S-4137-TB-Side Runout Etching
S-4137-JLabel and runout A
S-4137-TLabel and runout B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | New Zealand | Stateside MSS.2028First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1962 | US | Swan S-4137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | US | Swan S-4137First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1962 | US | Swan S-4137First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1962 | US | Swan S-4137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | US | Swan S-4137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | US | Swan S-4137-JFirst year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1963 | Australia | His Master's Voice EA-45717", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Canada | Quality 1536X7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Sweden | Karusell KFF 5267", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | UK | Stateside SS 2177", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | UK | Stateside SS 2177", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | Netherlands | Stateside HSS 10977", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Music Hall 30.1007", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | Greece | Stateside GSS 1277", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Swan S-41377", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Jack The Ripper / The Black Widow are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1962 and 1963.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, New Zealand. One of them is Swan S-4137.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S-4137, S-4137-J, MSS.2028) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. S-4137-J AI R and MASTERING RECO-ART PHILA. S-4137-T AI R. 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.
