Vinyl pressings
by Ricky Nelson · 1958
Poor Little Fool was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1958, the album's first year, in 12 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.
IM 1597 R2 HSide A run-out, etched (H stamped)
IM 1602 R2 HSide B run-out, etched (H stamped)
IM 1597 R2 H ASide A run-out, etched (H stamped)
IM 1602 R1 H ASide B run-out, etched (H stamped)
45-IM-1597- 7Runout side A, variant 1
45-IM-1602Runout side B, variant 1
45-IM-1597 #1Runout side A, variant 2
45-IM-1602 -1Runout side B, variant 2
45_IM_1597_ I 1 I A1Runout side A with 5 struck over a 9
45_IM_1602_ I 2 I A1Runout side B
IM-1597Label side A
IM-1602Label side B
IM-1597
IM-1602
45-IM-1597 53 5528Runout side A
45-IM-1602 5528Runout side B
IM-1597Label side A
IM-1602Label side B
45-IM-15971Etched side A
45-IM-1602Etched side B
IM-1597Label side A
IM-1602Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Australia | London Records 45-HL-1381First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Belgium | London Records 9-5.050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Canada | Imperial IM.5528First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Canada | Imperial 45-IM.5528First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Denmark | London Records 45-HL 8670First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | Denmark | California C 300First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | Germany | London Records DL 20 183First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Hong Kong | Imperial IMP. 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Japan | Imperial IMP-1025First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | Netherlands | London American Recordings FL 1768First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | New Zealand | London Records 45-NZL.330First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | New Zealand | London Records NZL.330First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | New Zealand | London Records 45-NZL.330First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | Norway | California C 300First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | UK | London Records 45-HLP 8670First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Renown N.10327", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Brazil | London Records MSL 2714Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Hong Kong | Imperial IMP. 0017", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | India | London American Recordings HLP. 8670Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | South Africa | Renown N.1032 X 457", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | London Records HLP.8670 / London American Recordings HLP.8670Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Imperial X55287", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
39 vinyl pressings of Poor Little Fool are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1958 and 1959.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Imperial X5528, released June 23, 1958.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use X5528, 5528, 45-HLP 8670, HLP.8670) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IM 1597 R2 H and IM 1602 R2 H. 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.
