Vinyl pressings
by Sheb Wooley · 1958
The Purple People Eater was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1958, 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.
58-XY-77-1 N GT XT 1Side A stamped runout
57-XY-185-1N T XT 2Side B stamped runout
(58-XY-77)Side A label
(57-XY-185)Side B label
57-S-77-1 G 1Runout side A
57-S-197-1 P 2Runout side B
57-S-77Label side A
57-S-197Label side B
58-XY-77-1 NA Side runout stamped
58-XY-78-1 NB Side runout stamped
58-XY-77A Side label number
58-XY-78B Side label number
58-XY-77A-Side Label
57-XY-185B-Side Label
I 58-XY-77Label side A
I 57-XY-185Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Finland | MGM Records 45-MGM 981First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Germany | MGM Records M 20949First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Germany | MGM Records M 20949 / MGM Records 45-MGM 193First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Greece | MGM Records MGM-SPG 23First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | New Zealand | MGM Records 45-MGM-73020First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | New Zealand | MGM Records 45-MGM-73020First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | New Zealand | MGM Records MGM-73020First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | South Africa | MGM Records MGM19108First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | UK | MGM Records 45-MGM-981First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | UK | MGM Records MGM.981First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | UK | MGM Records 45.MGM-981First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | MGM Records MGM-SPG 237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Greece | MGM Records MGM-SPG 237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of The Purple People Eater are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in UK, Finland, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is MGM Records 45-MGM-981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-MGM-981, MGM.981, 45.MGM-981, 45-MGM 981) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 58-XY-77-1 N GT XT 1 and 57-XY-185-1N T XT 2. 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.
