Vinyl pressings
by Russ Conway · 1959
China Tea was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 6 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.
7XCA 24897-1N RG ET 2Run-out matrix A-side stamped
7XCA 24898-1N OT ET 3Run-out matrix B-side stamped
7XCA 24897 45Label A-side
7XCA 24898 45Label B-side
CA 24897-1 MA side runout
CA 24898-1 GB side runout
CA 24897A side label
CA 24898B side label
7XCA 24897 45Label side A
7XCA 24898 45Label side B
7XCA 24897Label side A
7XCA 24898Label side B
7XCA24897 7XCT630Side A [Label]
7XCA24898 7XCT631Side B [Label]
7XCA 24 897Label Side A
7XCA 24 898Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Australia | Columbia 45-DO-4095First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Germany | Columbia C 21 290 / Columbia 45-DW 5746First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Ireland | Columbia 45-(I) 4337First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Netherlands | Columbia 45 DB 4337First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1959 | Norway | Columbia 45-DB 4337First year7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1959 | UK | Columbia 45-DB 4337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | Columbia 45-DB 4337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | Columbia 45-DB 4337First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | UK | Columbia DB. 4337First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Columbia DNZ 101697", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Venezuela | Odeon 101147", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of China Tea are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Columbia 45-DB 4337, released August 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-DB 4337, DB. 4337, 45-DO-4095, C 21 290) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7XCA 24897-1N RG ET 2 and 7XCA 24898-1N OT ET 3. 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.
