Vinyl pressings
by Sugar Chile Robinson · 1950
Say, Little Girl / Bouncing Ball Boogie was first pressed on vinyl in 1950. 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 1950, the album's first year, in 5 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.
5502-1D-1² 35Ɔ 2Side A - runout variant 1, stamped
5502-1D1³ 35ƆSide A - runout variant 2
5503-2D-1³ 35Ɔ 8Side B - runout variant 1
5503-2D-1³ 35Ɔ 12Side B - runout variant 2
5502-1D1 /250Side A - runout variant 1
5502-1D3 1 4 ✰Side A - runout variant 2
5502-1D3 1 7 ✰Side A - runout variant 3
5503-2D-1II4 350Side B - runout variant 1
45-5502-1D1 350Side A - runout
45-5503-2D2 350Side B - runout
(45-5502) YSide A - printed on label
(45-5503) ZSide B - printed on label
5502-1D3Side A - runout
5503-2D3Side B - runout
1 ✩Side A & B - runout
5502-YSide A - label
5502-1D-1² 35Ɔ 7Side A - runout
5503-2D-1⁵ 35ƆSide B - runout
5502-YSide A - label
5503-ZSide B - label
5502-1D-1³Side A - runout variant 1
5502-1D - 1²Side A - runout variant 2
5503-2D2Side B - runout variant 1
5503-2D - 1⁴Side B - runout variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Canada | Capitol Records C312First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | Germany | Telefunken Capitol C 80171First yearShellac, 78 RPM | Shellac, 78 RPM |
| 1950 | Netherlands | Capitol Records C 897First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | Sweden | Capitol Records C 897First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | Sweden | Capitol Records C 897First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records 897First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records F897First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records 897First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records 897First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records 897First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Norway | Capitol Records C 80171Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 897Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
12 vinyl pressings of Say, Little Girl / Bouncing Ball Boogie are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1950, in US, Canada, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Capitol Records 897, released March 1950.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 897, F897, C312, C 80171) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5502-1D-1² 35Ɔ 2 and 5502-1D1³ 35Ɔ. 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.
