Vinyl pressings
by Phil McLean · 1961
Small Sad Sam / Chicken was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1961, 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.
ZTSP81100- 1E ∆-41095Runout - Stamped - Side A
ZRSP81101- 1E ∆-41095-XRunout - Stamped - Side B
ZTSP 81100Center Label - Side A
ZTSP 81101Center Label - Side B
ZTSP81100 1AA side runout, variant 1
ZTSP81101 1BB side runout, variant 1
· ZTSP81100 1AA side runout, variant 2
· ZTSP81101 1BB side runout, variant 2
ZTSP 81100-1D TIIIRunout, side A, stamped, TIII etched
ZTSP 81101 1D TIIIRunout, side B, stamped, TIII etched
ZTSP 81100Label side A
ZTSP 81101Label side B
ZTSP81100 1ARunout - Stamped - Side A
ZRSP81101 1BRunout - Stamped - Side B
ZTSP 81100Center Label - Side A
ZTSP 81101Center Label - Side B
45 KR 1151-INRunout A, stamped
45 KR 1152-INRunout B, stamped
45-KR-1151Label A
45-KR-1152Label B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | Reo 8620XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | New Zealand | Top Rank International JAR 415First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | UK | Top Rank International JAR-597First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | UK | Top Rank JAR-597First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1961 | US | Versatile VERSATILE 107First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Versatile VER 107First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1961 | US | Versatile VERSATILE 107First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1961 | US | Versatile VERSATILE 107First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Australia | Top Rank International TRK-1777", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Rave 45R 1797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Versatile VER 1077", Single | 7", Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Small Sad Sam / Chicken are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1961 and 1962.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Versatile VERSATILE 107, released November 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VERSATILE 107, VER 107, JAR-597, 8620X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZTSP81100- 1E ∆-41095 and ZRSP81101- 1E ∆-41095-X. 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.
