Vinyl pressings
by Mary Wells · 1963
Laughing Boy was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 3 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.
NO-8W 4574-1Runout side A stamped
P4KM-1933- 1ARunout side B etched
DM V-014112 NO8W-4574Label side A
DM 025104 P4KM-1933Label side B
DM V-014112Side A Label
DM 025104Side B Label
NO-8W 4574-1C RSIde A [Stamped]
P4KM-1933-1C-1 RSide B [Stamped]
DM V-014112Side A Label
DM 025104Side B Label
N08W-4574-1F .../... Dmv-014112 .../... Nashville MetrixRunout Side A (etched)
Nashville Metrix .../... P4KM-1933-1E .../... DM-025104 .../... 10(barred out) 10Runout Side B (etched)
DM V-014112Side A Label
DM 025104Side B Label
45-DMV-014112 MR NO-8W 4574-1D △-46512Side A etched, exc. "MR" in a circle and "NO-8W 4574-1D" stamped
P4KM-1933-1D MR DM-025104 △46581Side A etched, exc. "MR" stamped in a circle
DM V-014112Side A label
DM 025104Side B label
45-DMV-014112 MR NO-8W 4574-1D △-46512Side A etched, exc. "MR" in a circle and "NO-8W 4574-1D" stamped
P4KM-1933-1D MR DM-025104 △46581Side A etched, exc. "MR" stamped in a circle
DM V-014112Side A label
DM 025104Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | US | Motown M-1039First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | Motown M-1039First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Motown M-1039First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Motown M-1039First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Motown M-1039First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Motown M-1039First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Motown M-1039First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | UK | Oriole CB.18297", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1963 | UK | Oriole American 45-CBA 1829First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Netherlands | Motown GO 42.555First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Tamla M 10397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Motown M-10397", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Laughing Boy are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Netherlands. One of them is Motown M-1039, released February 1, 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M-1039, 45-CBA 1829, GO 42.555) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NO-8W 4574-1 and P4KM-1933- 1A. 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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