Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1984
Hammer To Fall 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.
35 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 14 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.
QUEEN 4 A-1-1-Q3-4 PenthouseVariant 1, Side A
QUEEN 4 B-1-1-Q3-7 PenthouseVariant 1, Side B
QUEEN 4 A-1-1-Q2-14 PenthouseVariant 2, Side A
QUEEN 4 B-1-1-Q3-9 PenthouseVariant 2, Side B
12 QUEEN 4 A-1-1-2-3 PenthouseRunout Side A, Stamped, Variant 1
12 QUEEN 4 B-1-1-2-2Runout Side B, Stamped, Variant 1
12 QUEEN 4 A-1-1-1Runout Side A, Variant 2
12 QUEEN 4 B-1-1-1 X1Runout Side B, Variant 2
QUEEN 4 A-1-1-4-ii PenthouseRunout side A, variant 1
QUEEN 4 B-1-1-5-3 PenthouseRunout side B, variant 1
QUEEN 4 A-1-1-I-I PenthouseRunout side A, variant 2
QUEEN 4 B-1-1-I-2 PenthouseRunout side B, variant 2
QUEEN 4 A-1-1-4-3 PenthouseRunout A
QUEEN 4 B-1-1-1-5 PenthouseRunout B
QUEEN 4ALabel A
QUEEN 4BLabel B
QUEEN 4 A-1-1-Q3-1 PenthouseSide A, variant 1
QUEEN 4 B-1-1-Q3-2 PenthouseSide B, variant 1
QUEEN 4 A-1-1-Q2-↾2 PenthouseSide A, variant 2
QUEEN 4 B-1-1-Q2-↾2 PenthouseSide B, variant 2
QUEEN 4 A-1-1 PenthouseLabel side A
QUEEN 4 B-1-1 PenthouseLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | EMI ED.93 / EMI ED-93First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI ED.93 / EMI ED-93First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Bolivia | EMI International BO-1439First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records B-5424First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C K 052 20 0345 6 / EMI Electrola 1C K 052 20 0345 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | EMI 2003447First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-20 0344 7 / EMI 1A 006 20 0344 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 952First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Peru | EMI 01.21.2293 / EMI Queen 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Peru | EMI America 01.21.2293 / EMI America 01 21 2293First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4487First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI 12 EMIL(C) 4487First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 006 20 0344 7 / EMI 006-2003447First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 052-2003456First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 006 20 0344 7 / EMI QUEEN 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | UK | EMI QUEEN 47", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI QUEEN 47", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
41 vinyl pressings of Hammer To Fall are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1984 and 1996.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is EMI QUEEN 4, released September 10, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use QUEEN 4, 12 QUEEN 4, 12QUEEN 4, B-5424) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, QUEEN 4 A-1-1-Q3-4 Penthouse and QUEEN 4 B-1-1-Q3-7 Penthouse. 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.
