Vinyl pressings
by Michael Holm · 1974
When A Child Is Born was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 9 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.
2-51773-CT 1 MASTERDISK JS T11A-Side Runout
2-51772-CT-2 MASTERDISK JS T11B-Side Runout
2-51773A-Side Label
2-51772B-Side Label
2-51773-CP-4A side deadwax - etched
2-51772-CP-3B side deadwax - etched
MASTERDISK(stamped) JS(etched)On both sides of deadwax
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Interfusion K-5722First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Mercury M-73642First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | Eurodisc 13702 / Eurodisc 13.702First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | Ariola 13 702 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Ode Records Ode 576First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Scandinavia | Ariola 13570-03First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | Scandinavia | Ariola 13570-03First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Ariola ARS 7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | UK | Sonet SON 2050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Sonet SON 2050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 73642First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 73642First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 73642First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1975 | Barbados | Mercury 736427", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | Barbados | Mercury 736427", Single | 7", Single |
17 vinyl pressings of When A Child Is Born are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury 73642, released November 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 73642, SON 2050, K-5722, M-73642) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2-51773-CT 1 MASTERDISK JS T11 and 2-51772-CT-2 MASTERDISK JS T11. 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.
