Vinyl pressings
by Meri Wilson · 1977
Telephone Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 10 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.
GRT-127 T 4729-1Runout Side A etched Variant 1
T GRT-127 4730-1Runout Side B etched Variant 1
GRT-127 T 4729-1 TIIRunout Side A etched Variant 2
T GRT-127 4730-3Runout Side B etched Variant 2
4729Side A Print
4730Side B Print
GRT-127 p 4729XA-Side Runout Etching
p GRT-127 4730B-Side Runout Etching
4729A-Side Label
4730B-Side Label
GRT-127 4729-1ARunout, etched side A
GRT-127 4730-1CRunout, etched side A
4729Label Side A
4730Label Side B
GRT 4729 GRT 2 BNA-002-A MasterfonicsEtched Side A, Variant 1
GRT 4730 GRT 2 BNA-002-B MasterfonicsEtched Side B, Variant 1
GRT BNA-002-A MasterfonicsEtched Side A, Variant 2
GRT BNA-002-B MasterfonicsEtched Side B, Variant 2
4729Side A Print
4729Side B Print
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | GRT GRT-127 / Janus Records GRT-127First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | GRT 1185-127First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | Janus Records 6.12120First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Ireland | Pye Records 7N 25747First yearSingle, 7" | Single, 7" |
| 1977 | Netherlands | GRT NG 881First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Netherlands | GRT NG 881First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | New Zealand | GRT MAS 227First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | South Africa | Plum Records PMS 611First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | UK | Pye International 7N 25747First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | UK | Pye International 7N 25747First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Pye International 7N 25747First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Pye International 7N 25747First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Pye International 7N 25747First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Pye International 7N 25747First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | GRT GRT-127First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | GRT VIP-2550 / GRT VIP - 25507", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of Telephone Man are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is GRT GRT-127.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GRT-127, BNA 002, 7N 25747, 1185-127) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GRT-127 T 4729-1 and T GRT-127 4730-1. 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.
