Vinyl pressings
by Roy Wood · 1973
Boulders was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
SHVL 803 A-1U PA-side runout, variant 1
SHVL 803 B-1U PB-side runout, variant 1
SHVL 803 A-1U L 1A-side runout, variant 2
SHVL 803 B-1U L 1B-side runout, variant 2
UA-LA168-F-1 /2 ℰckA Side Etch
UA-LA168-F-2 /2 ℰckB Side Etch
IT UA-LA168-F-1-1 T ℰckEtched side A
IT UA-LA168-F-2-1 T ℰckEtched side B
UA-LA168-F-1 /2 EckA-Side runout, variant 1
UA-LA168-F-2 22 /2 EckB-Side runout, variant 1
UA-LA168-F-1 66 /2 EckA-Side runout, variant 2
66 UA-LA168-F-2 /2 EckB-Side runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Harvest SHVL-803First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-LA168-FFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-LA168-FFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Special Edition · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Special Edition · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | Harvest 1C 062-05 031 / Harvest 1 C 062-05 031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Harvest 3 C064 - 05031 / Harvest 3C 064 - 05031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Odeon EOP-80903 / Harvest EOP-80903First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Harvest SHVL 803 / Harvest OC 064 05031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Harvest SHVL 803First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Harvest SHVL 803First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1973 | Venezuela | Harvest SHLP-9515First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Harvest SHVL 803 / Harvest OC 064 ◦ 05031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | United Artists Records UA-LA168-FFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | United Artists Records UA-LA168-FFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | United Artists Records UA-LA168-FFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | Sonopresse 2S 066 05031LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1799 / Parlophone MOVLP1799LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Boulders are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1973 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Harvest SHVL 803, released July 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHVL 803, UA-LA168-F, SHVL-803, 1C 062-05 031) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHVL 803 A-1U P and SHVL 803 B-1U P. 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.
