Vinyl pressings
by Steve Harley · 1978
Hobo With A Grin 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.
14 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 10 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.
YAX 5454-2 U MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout side A, variant 1
YAX 5455-1 U MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout side B, variant 1
YAX 5454-1 U M G KP 1 MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A, variant 2
YAX 5455-1 U L KP 1 MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side B, variant 2
SW - 11770
YAX 5454 1U G MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout
YAX 5455 1U G MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout
ST-1-11770 F2 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Side A, runout
ST-2-11770 F2 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Side B, runout
SW-1-11770Side A, label
SW-2-11770Side B, label
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 | EMI EMC.3254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Capitol Records SW-11770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-06 742 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-06 742First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | EMI EMC 3254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 062- 06742First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 3254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | EMI 7C 062-06742First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | EMI 10 C 062-006.742First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | EMI EMC 3254 / EMI 0C 062-06 742First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | EMI EMC 3254First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records SW-11770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | EMI SW-11770LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | EMI SKBB-0000First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records SW-11770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records SW-11770First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Hobo With A Grin are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3254.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3254, SW-11770, SKBB-0000, EMC.3254) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAX 5454-2 U MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP and YAX 5455-1 U MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP. 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.
