Vinyl pressings
by Sammy Turner · 1959
Always / Symphony 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.
18 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 8 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.
45 BG-1070-3 BTA-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
45 BG-1072-3 BTB-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
45 BG-1070-2 BTA-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
45 BG-1072-2 BTB-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
45 BG 1070-3 BTA-Side Runout Etching
45 BG 1072-3 BTB-Side Runout Etching
BG-1070Side A Label
BG-1072Side B Label
BG-1072-4Side B Runout
BG-1070Side A Label and Runout
BG-1072Side B Label
45 BG 1070 SA-Side Runout Etching
45 BG 1072 SB-Side Runout Etching
BG-1070A-Side Label
BG-1072B-Side Label
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 | London Records 45-HL-1596First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Belgium | London Records 9.5.129First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Germany | Heliodor 453 060First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Germany | Heliodor 453 060First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1959 | India | London Records HLX 8963First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Italy | London Records HL-45 8963First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | New Zealand | London Records NZL-X. 468First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | London Records 45-HLX 8963 / London American Recordings 45-HLX 8963First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | London Records HLX 8963 / London American Recordings HLX 8963First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1959 | UK | London Records 45-HLX 8963 / London American Recordings 45-HLX 8963First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | London Records 45-HLX 8963 / London American Recordings 45-HLX 8963First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | London American Recordings / London RecordsFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1959 | US | Bigtop 45-3029First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | US | Bigtop 45-3029First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | US | Bigtop 45-3029First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Quality K19587", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Japan | Atlantic ATL-10467", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Pacific Records 45-30297", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Pacific Records BM1057", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Always / Symphony are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Bigtop 45-3029.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-3029, 45-HLX 8963, HLX 8963, 45-HL-1596) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45 BG-1070-3 BT and 45 BG-1072-3 BT. 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.
