Vinyl pressings
by Nick Lowe · 1984
Half A Boy And Half A Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
XX34 A-1U-1 1-X 1 ARUNRunout side A, stamped/etched, variant 1
XX34 B-1U-1 1-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
XX34 A-1U-1 1-x 1 ARUNRunout side A, stamped/etched ["1-x 1" mirrored], variant 2
XX34 B-1U-1- 1-x 1Runout side B, stamped ["1-x 1" mirrored], variant 2
LOWE 1 AA-side, stamped
LOWE 1 BB-side, stamped
XX 34T A-1U-1-1a-side, stamped
XX 34 T B-1U-1-b-side, stamped
P ZSS 17161-1ARunout A, etched
P ZSS 17161-1BRunout B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | F-Beat XX 34TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | F-Beat 104286First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | F-Beat TDS-216First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38 04486First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | France | F-Beat ZC 68172First year12", Stereo | 12", Stereo |
| 1984 | France | F-Beat ZB 68171First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | F-Beat ZB 68171First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | F-Beat ZB 681717", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Netherlands | F-Beat ZB 68171First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | F-Beat ZC-68172First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | F-Beat XX 34 / F-Beat ZB 68171First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | F-Beat XX 34First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | F-Beat 104286First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA ZB-68171 / RCA Victor ZB-68171First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA ZB-68171 / RCA Victor ZB-68171First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
22 vinyl pressings of Half A Boy And Half A Man are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is F-Beat XX 34.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XX 34, XX 34T, 38-04486, AS 1876) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XX34 A-1U-1 1-X 1 ARUN and XX34 B-1U-1 1-1. 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.
