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Lonnie Donegan's Skiffle GroupRock Island Line / John Henry

Vinyl pressings

Rock Island Line / John Henry

by Lonnie Donegan's Skiffle Group · 1955

40 pressings8 countriesSkiffleFolkFolkWorld

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.

How to spot a first pressing of Rock Island Line / John Henry

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.

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

Full details of this pressing

UK

1955
Label and catalog number
Decca F.10647
Format
Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Runout / matrix

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

Full details of this pressing

UK

1955
Label and catalog number
Decca F-J.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

Full details of this pressing

UK

1955
Label and catalog number
Decca F-J.10647
Format
Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single
Runout / matrix

CA DRX-19299-2Side A stamped runout

DRX-19302-1Side B stamped runout

Full details of this pressing

UK

1955
Label and catalog number
Decca F.10647
Format
Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Runout / matrix

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

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 40 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1950s27 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1955CanadaLondon Records 45-L. 1650First year7", 45 RPM, Single7", 45 RPM, Single
1955IrelandDecca F-J.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1955UKDecca FJ. 10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1955UKDecca F.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1955UKDecca 45-F-J 10647First year7", 45 RPM, Single7", 45 RPM, Single
1955UKDecca F-J.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1955UKDecca F-J.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, SingleShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single
1955UKDecca F.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1955UKDecca F-J.10647 / Decca FJ.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1955UKDecca F.10647 / Decca FJ.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1955UKDecca F-J.10647 / Decca FJ.10647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1955USLondon Records 1650First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1956AustraliaDecca Y6789Shellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
1956GermanyDecca D 18 2307", Single, 45 RPM7", Single, 45 RPM
1956GermanyDecca D 18 2307", Single, 45 RPM7", Single, 45 RPM
All 27 pressings from the 1950s
1960s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1961CanadaFelsted FE. 86307", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue
1961USFelsted 45-8630-V7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue
1961USFelsted 45-86307", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue
Year unknown10 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?CanadaLondon Records L. 1650Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, SingleShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single
?NorwayDecca NF 10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
?UKDecca F 10647 / Decca XDR 192997", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?UKDecca 45-FJ106477", 45 RPM7", 45 RPM
?UKDecca FJ. 10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
?UKDecca F-J.10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, SingleShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single
?UKDecca FJ. 10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
?UKDecca FJ. 10647Shellac, 10", 78 RPMShellac, 10", 78 RPM
?USLondon Records 1650Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, SingleShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single
?USLondon Records 45 LON 110087", 45 RPM, Reissue7", 45 RPM, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. ARock Island Line
  2. BJohn Henry

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Rock Island Line / John Henry are there?

40 vinyl pressings of Rock Island Line / John Henry are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1955 and 1961.

When was Rock Island Line / John Henry first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1955, in UK, US, Canada, Ireland. One of them is Decca FJ. 10647.

How do I tell if my copy of Rock Island Line / John Henry is a first pressing?

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.

How much is Rock Island Line / John Henry on vinyl worth?

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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