Vinyl pressings
by The Beatles · 1964
Cry For A Shadow / Why was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 8 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.
52275 A Made in Germany A4 -V A1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
52275 B Made in Germany A4 H-V ERunout side B, stamped, variant 1
52275 A Made in Germany A4 -V BRunout side A, stamped, B sideways, variant 2
52275 B Made in Germany A4 H-V BRunout side B, stamped, B sideways, variant 2
52275 A Made in Germany A4 -V A1Runout Side A
52275 B Made in Germany A4 H-V A1Runout Side B
24757 A Made in Germany M1 H / SL + A1Side A runout
24757 B Made in Germany M1 H / SL + A1Side B runout
NH 52275 A = 1 1Side 1
NH 52275 B ∇ B 1 1Side 2
NH 52275 A = 1 1Side 1
NH 52275 B▼ 1 1Side 2
K13227 64XY349Side A Runout
K13227 64XY307Side B Runout
64 XY 349Side A Label
64 XY 307Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | Polydor NH-52275First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Chile | Polydor 64060First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Germany | Polydor 52 275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | Germany | Polydor 24 757First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | Japan | Polydor DP-13627", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1964 | US | MGM Records K13227First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | MGM Records K13227First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | Germany | Polydor 52275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | South Africa | Polydor FM.7-7013First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | Polydor NH 52275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | Polydor NH 52275First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Canada | MGM Records 13227X / MGM Records K-13227First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | MGM Records K13227First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | New Zealand | Polydor NH52275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Japan | Polydor DDI-130227", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Polydor 52.2757", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of Cry For A Shadow / Why are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1964 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in Germany, UK, US, South Africa and more. One of them is Polydor 52275, released February 28, 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 52275, 52 275, 24 757, NH 52275) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 52275 A Made in Germany A4 -V A1 and 52275 B Made in Germany A4 H-V E. 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.
