Vinyl pressings
by Paper Lace · 1974
The Black-Eyed Boys 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.
26 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 18 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.
BUS 1019 A-3 RM 1 RJLRunout, side A, variant 1
BUS 1019 B-1 RP 2Runout, side B, variant 1
BUS 1019 A-3 G 1 RJLRunout, side A, variant 2
BUS 1019 B-1 GL 2Runout, side B, variant 2
2-51361-PR-2-1-1 Pa PR MASTERDISK DA-Side Runout Etching
2-51654 2̶-̶5̶1̶3̶6̶4̶-PR-2-1-1 Pa MASTERDISK PR DB-Side Runout Etching
2-51361A-Side Label
2-51654B-Side Label
R-51361-PR-1-1-1 Pa PR MASTERDISK DA-Side Runout Etching
2-51654 -2-1-1 2̶-̶5̶1̶3̶6̶4̶-PR-2-1-1 Pa MASTERDISK P PR DR DB-Side Runout Etching
2-51361A-Side Label
2-51654B-Side Label
2-51361-PR-1 1-1 [MASTERDISK] Pa D 1-1Side A runout, etched/stamped
2-51654 ̶2̶4̶5̶1̶3̶1̶6̶A̶1̶-PR-1-1-1 ̶2̶-̶5̶1̶6̶5̶4̶-̶P̶R̶-̶1̶ [MASTERDISK] D Pa PRSide B runout, etched/stamped
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 | Argentina | Philips 6000155First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Australia | Bus Stop BUS-10622First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Austria | Philips 6000 155First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | Philips 6000 155First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Brazil | Philips 6000 155First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2065 243 / Bus Stop 2065 243First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2065 243 DJ / Bus Stop 2065 243 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | Philips 6000 155First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Italy | Philips 6000 155First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Mexico | Philips 483 / Philips 6000 155First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Philips 6000 155First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Parlophone NZP 3483First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Portugal | Philips 6000 155First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Portugal | Philips 6000 155First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Scandinavia | Philips 6000 155First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of The Black-Eyed Boys are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Yugoslavia, Australia and more. One of them is Bus Stop BUS 1019, released August 16, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUS 1019, 73620, S 53 806, BUS-10622) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUS 1019 A-3 RM 1 RJL and BUS 1019 B-1 RP 2. 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.
