Vinyl pressings
by Shocking Blue · 1970
Hello Darkness / Pickin' Tomatoes was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. 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 1970, 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.
22.045-1 +Runout side A, hand-etched
22.045-2Runout side B, hand-etched
DU 21.688Label side A
DU 21.689Label side B
DU-21688/2Runout stamp side A
DU-21689/2Runout stamp side B
DU 21688Label Side A
DU 21689Label Side B
Du 21.688Label Side A
Du 21.689Label Side B
22.045-1 +Runout Side A
22.045-2Runout Side B
DU 21.688Label Side A
DU 21.689Label Side B
22.045-1 +Runout Side A
22.045-2Runout Side B
DU 21.688Label Side A
DU 21.689Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Penny Farthing PFK-4153First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Belgium | Pink Elephant PE 22.045 Y / Pink Elephant 22.045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Belgium | Pink Elephant PE 22.045 Y / Pink Elephant 22.045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | France | Pink Elephant 85.030First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | Metronome M 25.275 / Metronome M 25 275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Pink Elephant PE 22.045-G / Pink Elephant 22.045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Pink Elephant PE 22.045 G / Pink Elephant 22.045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Pink Elephant PE 22.045-G / Pink Elephant 22.045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Pink Elephant PE 22.045-G / Pink Elephant 22.045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Pink Elephant PE 22.045-G / Pink Elephant 22.045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Sweden | Metronome M 25.275First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | UK | Penny Farthing PEN 7487", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Norway | Metronome M 25.2757", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | UK | Penny Farthing PEN 7487", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | Pink Elephant PE 22.045Y7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Lebanon | Parlophone MOL 507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Netherlands | Pink Elephant PE 22.045-G7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Philippines | Festival Records PFK-41537", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Hello Darkness / Pickin' Tomatoes are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, France and more. One of them is Pink Elephant PE 22.045-G.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PE 22.045-G, PE 22.045 G, PFK-4153, PE 22.045 Y) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 22.045-1 + and 22.045-2. 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.
