Vinyl pressings
by Paul & Paula · 1962
Hey Paula was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1962, 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.
PHW 22534 6 F SRunout, side A, stamped, variant 1
PHW 22533 6 F SRunout, side B, stamped, variant 1
PHW 22534 7 F SRunout, side A, stamped, variant 2
PHW 22533 6 F SRunout, side B, stamped, variant 2
PHW 22534 8 {F}Side A, stamped except {etched}
PHW 22533 7 {F}Side B, stamped except {etched}
PHW22534Side A, label
PHW22533Side B, label
PHW 22534 6 F5Side A runout, variant 1
PHW 22533 7 F5Side B runout, variant 1
PHW 22534 7 F5Side A runout, variant 2
PHW 22533 6 F5Side B runout, variant 2
PHW 22534 2 E-9789aA-Side Runout
PHW 22533 2 E-9790aA-Side Runout-Side Runout
PHW22534A-Side Label
PHW22533B-Side Label
PHW 22534 1 E-9789A runout
PHW 22533 2 E-9790aB runout
PHW22534A label
PHW22533B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Belgium | Philips 304012 BFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Canada | Sparton 4-1137-RFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Canada | Philips 40084XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Canada | Philips 40084XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Canada | Sparton P 1616First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Canada | Sparton 4-1137-RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1962 | Denmark | Philips 304.012 BFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Greece | Philips 40 084 BFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Ireland | Philips 304 012 EBFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Jamaica | Mercury 40084First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Japan | Philips FL-1069First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | New Zealand | Philips 304012BFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | South Africa | Philips SSP 839First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1962 | US | Philips 40084First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1962 | US | Philips 40084First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | WEA 18784..7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Philips BF 304 012 / Philips 304 012 BF7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
48 vinyl pressings of Hey Paula are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1962 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, Belgium, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is Philips 40084.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 40084, 304012 BF, 4-1137-R, 40084X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHW 22534 6 F S and PHW 22533 6 F S. 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.
