UK
1955- Label and catalog number
- Decca FJ. 10647
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
- Runout / matrix
DRX-19299-1Side A stamped runout
DRX-19302-1Side B stamped runout
DR/X.19299Side A label
DR/X.19302Side B label
Vinyl pressings
by Lonnie Donegan's Skiffle Group · 1955
Rock Island Line / John Henry was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. 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 1955, 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.
DRX-19299-1Side A stamped runout
DRX-19302-1Side B stamped runout
DR/X.19299Side A label
DR/X.19302Side B label
DRX-19299-1 MH SHRunout stamped side A
DRX-19302-1 NH SHRunout stamped side B
(DR/X.19299)Label side A, inverted
(DR/X.19302)Label side B, inverted
DRX-19299-1Side A stamped runout
DRX-19302-1Side B stamped runout
DR/X.19299Side A label
DR/X.19302Side B label
CA DRX-19299-2Side A stamped runout
DRX-19302-1Side B stamped runout
DRX-19299-1 AH IHRunout side A, stamped
DRX-19302-1 BBH IHRunout side B, stamped
DR / X.19299Label side A, inverted
DR / X.19302Label side B, inverted
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Canada | London Records 45-L. 1650First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | Ireland | Decca F-J.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | UK | Decca FJ. 10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | UK | Decca F.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | UK | Decca 45-F-J 10647First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | UK | Decca F-J.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | UK | Decca F-J.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | UK | Decca F.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | UK | Decca F-J.10647 / Decca FJ.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | UK | Decca F.10647 / Decca FJ.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | UK | Decca F-J.10647 / Decca FJ.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | London Records 1650First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | Australia | Decca Y6789Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | Germany | Decca D 18 2307", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1956 | Germany | Decca D 18 2307", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | Felsted FE. 86307", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1961 | US | Felsted 45-8630-V7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1961 | US | Felsted 45-86307", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | London Records L. 1650Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | Norway | Decca NF 10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Decca F 10647 / Decca XDR 192997", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Decca 45-FJ106477", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Decca FJ. 10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Decca F-J.10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Decca FJ. 10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Decca FJ. 10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | London Records 1650Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | London Records 45 LON 110087", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
40 vinyl pressings of Rock Island Line / John Henry are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1955 and 1961.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in UK, US, Canada, Ireland. One of them is Decca FJ. 10647.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FJ. 10647, F.10647, 45-F-J 10647, F-J.10647) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DRX-19299-1 and DRX-19302-1. 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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