US
1976- Label and catalog number
- WATT WATT/ 4
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Allentown Pressing
- Runout / matrix
WATT/4A-2A HF ARC 5/6/6Side A runout
WATT/4B-2A HF ARC 4/6/6Side B runout
Michael MantlerThe Hapless Child (And Other Inscrutable Stories)
Vinyl pressings
The Hapless Child (And Other Inscrutable Stories)
by Michael Mantler · 1976
12 pressings6 countriesExperimentalAvantgardeJazzRock
The Hapless Child was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 The Hapless Child
8 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
US
1976- Label and catalog number
- WATT WATT/4Virgin WATT/4
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
WATT 4 A6 BILBOSide A runout
WATT 4 B6 MASTER ROOMSide B runout
UK
1976- Label and catalog number
- WATT WATT/4Virgin WATT/4
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
A PORKY PRIME CUT 1 WATT 4 A50 EGSide A runout
2 WATT 4 B30 EGSide B runout
UK
1976- Label and catalog number
- WATT WATT/4Virgin WATT/4
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
THIS WORKS 1 WATT 4 A5 EGSide A runout
2 WATT 4 B3U EGSide B runout
THIS WORKS 5 WATT 4 A5 EGSide A runout
9 WATT 4 B3U EGSide B runout
France
1976- Label and catalog number
- WATT WATT 4WATT WATT/4
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
YBARCX 82307 1 940524 A M6 311862 2Runout side A, stamped
YBARCX 82308 1 M6 311863 2 940524 BRunout side A, stamped
yBarcx 82.307On label side A
yBarcx 82.308On label side B
France
1976- Label and catalog number
- WATT WATT 4WATT WATT/4
- Format
- LP, Album, White Label
- Runout / matrix
YBARCX 82307 | 940524 A M6 311862 2runout side A, stamped
YBARCX 82308 | M6 311863 2 940524 Brunout side A, stamped
yBarcx 82.307On label side One
yBarcx 82.308On label side Two
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 12 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | France | WATT WATT 4 / WATT WATT/4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | France | WATT WATT 4 / WATT WATT/4First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | Germany | WATT WATT/4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | WATT WATT/4First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | WATT WATT/4 / Virgin WATT/4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | WATT WATT/4 / Virgin WATT/4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | WATT WATT/ 4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | WATT WATT/4 / Virgin WATT/4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Japan | Watt/ECM 25MJ 3442LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | WATT WATT/4LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | WATT WATT 4LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| ? | US | WATT WATT/ 4LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1The Sinking Spell5:12
- A2The Object-Lesson4:58
- A3The Insect God5:00
- B1The Doubtful Guest4:45
- B2The Remembered Visit6:25
- B3The Hapless Child6:59
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Hapless Child are there?
12 vinyl pressings of The Hapless Child are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1976 and 1984.
When was The Hapless Child first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, France, Germany. One of them is WATT WATT/ 4.
How do I tell if my copy of The Hapless Child is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WATT/ 4, WATT/4, WATT 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WATT/4A-2A HF ARC 5/6/6 and WATT/4B-2A HF ARC 4/6/6. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Hapless Child 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.