Vinyl pressings
by Shakin' Stevens · 1981
This Ole House was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
EPC-S.9555.A-1 RAYS BSide A runout, variant 1
EPC-S. 9555 B-1 RAYS BSide B runout, variant 1
EPC-S.9555-A-1 RAYS 2 3 BSide A runout, variant 2
EPC-S. 9555. B-1 1 7 RAYS BSide B runout, variant 2
EPC-S-9555-A-1 RAYSHand etched runout A-side variant 1
EPC-S-9555-B-1 RAYSHand etched runout B-side variant 1
EPC-S (CBS crossed) 9555-A2 RAYS TO BHand etched runout A-side variant 2
EPC-S (CBS crossed) 9555-B2 AHand etched runout B-side variant 2
EPC-S-9555-A-1 RAYSHand etched in run-out area A-side - variant 1
EPC-S-9555-B-1 RAYSHand etched in run-out area B-side - variant 1
EPC-S-9555-A-1 RAYS CHand etched in run-out area A-side - variant 2
EPC-S C̶B̶S̶-̶S̶ 9555-B3 RAYS DStamped/hand etched in run-out area B-side - variant 2
EPC-S-9555-A-1Hand etched in run-out area A-side
EPC-S-9555-B2Hand etched in run-out area B-side
RAYSHand etched in run-out area A-side
S EPC 9555 ALabel A-side
EPC-S-9555-A-1 RAYS DSide A runout
EPC-S-C̶B̶S̶-̶S̶ 9555 B-3 RAYS CSide B runout
EPC 9555 ASide A label
EPC 9555 BSide B label
EPC-S C̶B̶S̶S̶ 9555-A2 RAYS ⋀Side A runout variant 1, etched, EPC-S is stamped
EPC-S. 9555.B.1 (: :) RAYSSide B runout variant 1, etched
EPC-S C̶B̶S̶S̶ 9555-A3 ⋀Side A runout variant 2, etched, EPC-S is stamped
EPC-S. 9555.B.1 (: :) RAYSSide B runout variant 2, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 603First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 603First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Epic E4-8504First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 9555First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Epic EPC 9555First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Epic EPC 9555First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Epic EPC 9555First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | Epic S EPC 9555First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 07・5P-142First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Epic 07・5P-142First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ES 603First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | Epic EN 5176First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC 9555First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC 9555First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Epic 19-02072First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
27 vinyl pressings of This Ole House are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic EPC 9555, released January 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 9555, S EPC 9555, 19-02072, ES 603) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC-S.9555.A-1 RAYS B and EPC-S. 9555 B-1 RAYS B. 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.
