Vinyl pressings
by Sanford Clark · 1956
9 Lb. Hammer / Ooo Baby was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. 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 1956, the album's first year, in 4 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.
MW 9450 1 1Runout, Side A, stamped (Variant 1)
MW 9451 1 1Runout, Side B, stamped (Variant 1)
B2 MW_9450_2 IA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
A1 MW_9451 2 IB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
45-MW 9451 ③ Δ13007Runout A, etched
MW 9450 Δ13005Runout B, etched
MW-9451Label A
MW-9450Label B
MB-9450Side A Label
MB-9451Side B Label
MB-9450Side A Label
MB-9451Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Australia | London Records HL-1158First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | Canada | Reo 8143XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Canada | Reo 8143First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | Canada | Reo 8143First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | Canada | Reo 8143XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1956 | South Africa | Dot Records D 195First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | US | Dot Records 45-15534First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | Dot Records 15534First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | US | Dot Records 15534First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | US | Dot Records 45-15534First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of 9 Lb. Hammer / Ooo Baby are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, Australia, Canada, South Africa. One of them is Dot Records 45-15534, released December 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-15534, 15534, HL-1158, 8143X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MW 9450 1 1 and MW 9451 1 1. 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.
