Vinyl pressings
by Mud · 1975
Oh Boy was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 13 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.
YRAK 201 A - 1A-side runout, stamped variant 1
YRAK 179 B - 1 BLAIRB-side runout, stamped/etched variant 1
YRAK 201 A-2 RPL 5A-side runout, stamped variant 2
YRAK 179 B-1 RPG BLAIR 1B-side runout, stamped/etched variant 2
Y RAK 201 A - 2A-side runout, stamped, variant 1
Y RAK 179 B - 1 BLAIRB-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
YRAK 201 A - 2 H M 4A-side runout, stamped, variant 2
YRAK 201 B - 1 L L BLAIR 1B-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
Y RAK 201 A - 2 RMR 5A-side runout
Y RAK 179 B - 1 BLAIR RCP 4B-side runout
(RAK.201A)A-side label
YRAK 179BB-side label
YRAK 201 A-2 AHD 4Side A runout variant 1
YRAK 179 B-1 ATD BLAIR 3Side B runout variant 1
YRAK 201 A-2 AGD 5Side A runout variant 2
YRAK 179 B-1 APH BLAIR 2Side B runout variant 2
YRAK 201 A - 2A-side runout, stamped
YRAK 179 B - 1B-side runout, stamped
(RAK.201A)A-side label
(YRAK.179B)B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | RAK RAK 10806First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Belgium | RAK 4 C 006-96499First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Belgium | RAK 4 C 006-96532First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | Belgium | RAK RAK 201RAK10806First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Denmark | RAK RAK 201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Finland | RAK 5E 006-96499First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | France | RAK 2 C 004-96532First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-96 532 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-96 532First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-96 532 / RAK 1 C 006-96 532First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-96 532First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Ireland | RAK RAK 201First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Ireland | RAK RAK 201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 006-96532 / RAK 5C 006-96 532First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Portugal | RAK 8E 006 96 532 MFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | South Africa | RAK RAKJ 1023First year7", Single | 7", Single |
24 vinyl pressings of Oh Boy are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is RAK RAK 201, released April 11, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 201, RAK 10806, 4 C 006-96499, 4 C 006-96532) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YRAK 201 A - 1 and YRAK 179 B - 1 BLAIR. 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.
