Vinyl pressings
by Mankind · 1978
Dr Who was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
∆ 2931 MTR 001-12 A-1 OREX PINA71+A E.G A PORKY PRIMECUT MARK STEVENS IS A DALEKSide A runout, etched
∆ 2931 OREX MTR 001-12 B-1 YOU MAY THINK SO WE DID BEWARE E.G PIN+71+BSide B runout, etched
△ 2931 MTR 001-12 A-1 MARK STEVENS IS A DALEK COSTA E.G. A PORKY PRIME CUTA-side runout
△ 2931 MTR 001-12 B-1 YOU MAY THINK SO WE DID BEWARE COSTA Λ /11 E.G.B-side runout
PIN 71 A - 4U 4 10Runout side A
PIN 71 B - 4U 1 1Runout side B
△ 2931 MTR 001-12 A-1Side A runout, stamped
OREX MARK STEVENS IN A DALEK PIN+71+A E.G. A PORKY PRIME CUTSide A runout, etched
△ 2931 MTR 001-12 B-1Side B runout, stamped (MTR crossed out)
OREX YOU MAY THiNK SO. WE DiD. BEWARE E.G. PIN+71+BSide B runout, etched
△ 2931 MTR 001-12 A-1Side A runout, stamped
MARK STEVENS IN A DALEK COSTA EG A PORKY PRIME CUTSide A runout, etched
△ 2931 MTR 001-12 B-1Side B runout, stamped
YOU MAY THiNK SO. WE DiD. BEWARE COSTA EGSide B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | RCA Victor 103352First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA Victor KPN1-0314First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | RTC RTS 702First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | Motor Records MTR 001/12First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Pinnacle Records PIN 71-12First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Pinnacle Records PIN 71First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Pinnacle Records PIN71 / Pinnacle Records PIN 71-12First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Motor Records MTR-001 / Motor Records MTR 0017", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1978 | UK | Pinnacle Records PIN 71-12 / Pinnacle Records PIN71First year12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Pinnacle Records PIN 71-12First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Pinnacle Records PIN 71-12First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Pinnacle Records PIN 71 / Motor Records PIN 71First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Pinnacle Records PIN 71-12First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Motor Records MTR-001First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Pinnacle Records PIN 71-12First year12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Denmark | RA Records RAS-8167", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Derby DBR 102577", Single | 7", Single |
31 vinyl pressings of Dr Who are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Pinnacle Records PIN 71-12, released November 10, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PIN 71-12, MTR 001/12, PIN 71, PIN71) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ∆ 2931 MTR 001-12 A-1 OREX PINA71+A E.G A PORKY PRIMECUT MARK STEVENS IS A DALEK and ∆ 2931 OREX MTR 001-12 B-1 YOU MAY THINK SO WE DID BEWARE E.G PIN+71+B. 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.
