Vinyl pressings
by Smokie · 1978
Oh Carol was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 14 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.
YRAK 276 A-1U 3 OM Lyre symbolRunout, stamped/etched, A side, variant 1
YRAK 276 B-1U 3 RT Lyre symbolRunout stamped/etched, B Side, variant 1
YRAK 276 A-1U 5 LR Lyre symbolRunout, stamped/etched, A side, variant 2
YRAK 276 B-1U 4 TG Lyre symbolRunout, stamped/etched, B side, variant 2
YRAK 276ALabel A
YRAK 276BLabel B
RAK 11740ASide A Runout, Hand Etched
RAK 11740BSide B Runout, Hand Etched
RAK11740ASide A Label
RAK11740BSide B Label
40006-60762-ARunout side A, etched
40006-60762-BRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | RAK RAK-11740First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Belgium | RAK 4C006-60762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | RAK 2C 008-60.762First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-60 762 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-60 762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-60 762 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-60 762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | RAK RAK 276First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Ireland | RAK RAK 276First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | Columbia 3C 006 - 60762 / EMI 3C 006 - 60762First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 006-60762First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | RAK RAK 276First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | RAK RAK 276First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | South Africa | RAK RAKJ 1056First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Spain | RAK 10C 006-060-762First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Sweden | RAK 7C 006-60762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Turkey | Rio R 011First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
20 vinyl pressings of Oh Carol are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Belgium, France and more. One of them is RAK RAK 276, released May 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 276, RAK-11740, 4C006-60762, 2C 008-60.762) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YRAK 276 A-1U 3 OM Lyre symbol and YRAK 276 B-1U 3 RT Lyre symbol. 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.
