Vinyl pressings
by T. Rex · 1970
Ride A White Swan 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.
29 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 17 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.
BUG 1 A-1U GA A K TSide A stamped runout (variant 1)
BUG1B-2U CRA K TSide B stamped runout (variant 1)
BUG 1 A-1U GT P K T 4Side A stamped runout (variant 2)
BUG1B-2U L D KT 2Side B stamped runout (variant 2)
BUG 1 A-1U GPL KT 2Side A runout, stamped
BUG 1 B-2U GHA KT 2Side B runout, stamped
BUG 1 A-1U A KT 1Runout side A, variant 1
BUG1B-2U M KT 1Runout side B, variant 1
BUG 1 A-1U AL KT IRunout side A, variant 2
BUG1B-2U AH KT IRunout side B, variant 2
BUG 1 A-1UMatrix side A, stamped
BUG1B-2UMatrix side B, stamped
BUG 1ALabel, side A
BUG 1BLabel, side B
BUG 1 A-1U H KT 1Side A runout, stamped unless *etched
BUG1B-2U L KT 1Side B runout, stamped unless *etched
BUG 1AA-side label
BUG 1BB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Parlophone A-9335First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1970 | Australia | Parlophone A-9335First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Canada | Reprise Records 0982First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Denmark | Stateside 6E 006-92148First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Finland | Stateside 5E 006-92148MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | France | CBS 5381First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Germany | Ariola 14 773 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 478First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Ireland | Regal Zonophone BUG-1First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1970 | Ireland | Regal Zonophone BUG-1First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1970 | Ireland | Fly Records BUG-1First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records HIT-1857First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Japan | Odeon OR-2762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | Japan | Odeon OR-2762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Stateside 5C 006-92 148 / Stateside 5C 006-92148First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | UK | Universal Music TV 1744372 / Fly Records 17443727", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | Parlophone MOL497", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
36 vinyl pressings of Ride A White Swan are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1970 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Fly Records BUG-1, released October 9, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUG-1, BUG 1, 0982, A-9335) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUG 1 A-1U GA A K T and BUG1B-2U CRA K T. 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.
