Vinyl pressings
by Roy Hamilton · 1954
You'll Never Walk Alone was first pressed on vinyl in 1954. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1954, the album's first year, in 2 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.
CO50239-1GRunout, side A, stamped, variant 1
CO50242-1JRunout, side B, stamped, variant 1
CO50239-1CRunout, side A, stamped, variant 2
CO50242-1JRunout, side B, stamped, variant 2
ZSP 30488-1A TSide A, variant 1
ZSP 30569-1B TSide B, variant 1
ZSP30488-1G TSide A, variant 2
ZSP30569-1E TSide B, variant 2
ZSP 30488
ZSP 30569
ZSP 30488-1A
ZSP 30569-1C
C050239-1BA-Side Runout
C050242-1BB-Side Runout
ZSP30488-1AA side runout
ZSP30569-1AB side runout
ZSP 30488A side label
ZSP 30569B side label
ZSP 30488Side A
ZSP 30569Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Canada | Epic 9015First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | Canada | Epic 5-9015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1954 | US | Epic 9015First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Epic 5-9015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1954 | US | Epic 5-9015First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1954 | US | Epic 5-9015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1954 | US | Epic 9015First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Epic 9015First year10", 78 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 10", 78 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1954 | US | Epic 5-9015First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1954 | US | Epic 5-9015First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
10 vinyl pressings of You'll Never Walk Alone are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1954, in US, Canada. One of them is Epic 9015.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9015, 5-9015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CO50239-1G and CO50242-1J. 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.
