Vinyl pressings
by Sil Austin · 1956
Slow Walk 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.
45-YM-13646-2 14511A-side runout, variant 1
45-YM-13647-2 14511B-side runout, variant 1
45-YWM-13746-2 (Lathe) 14511A-side runout, variant 2
45-YWM-13747-1 1451 (Lathe)B-side runout, variant 2
YB13746Side A label
YB13747Side B label
YW13746Label Side A
YW13747Label Side B
YB-13746-1M 3 ISide A runout, variant 1
YB-13747-1M 3 ISide B runout, variant 1
YB-13746-1M 2 ISide A runout, variant 2
YB-13747-1M 3 ISide B runout, variant 2
YW13746A-side label
YW13747B-side label
45-YM-13646-2 14511A-side in wax
45-YM-13647-2 14511B-side in wax
YW13746Label Side A
YW13747Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Canada | Mercury 70963XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Netherlands | Mercury 957006 / CNR 957006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | Sweden | Mercury B 45-702First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1956 | Canada | Mercury 70963First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | Mercury 70963X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | Mercury 70963First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | US | Mercury 70963X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | Mercury 70963First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1956 | US | Mercury 70963X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1956 | US | Mercury 70963X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Mercury 702207", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Mercury 70963Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
12 vinyl pressings of Slow Walk are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden. One of them is Mercury 70963X45, released September 10, 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 70963X45, 70963, 70963X, 957006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-YM-13646-2 14511 and 45-YM-13647-2 14511. 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.
