Vinyl pressings
by The Beatles · 1981
Early Years (1) was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 3 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.
PHX 1004-ASide A
PHX 1004-BSide B
PHX UK-1004A-1 RBrown Sound CuttingSide A etched
PHX UK-1004B-1 RBrown Sound CuttingSide B etched
PHX+1004+A ORLAKERunout Side A, etched
PHX+1004+B ORLAKERunout Side B, etched
PHX UK-1004A-1 Al Brown EXP Sound CuttingSide A
PHX UK-1004B-1 Al Brown Sound CuttingSide B
PHX+1004+A ORLAKERunout Side A, etched
PHX+1004+B ORLAKERunout Side B, etched
PHX 1004-ASide A
PHX 1004-BSide B
PHXUK-1004A-1 Al Brown EXP Sound CuttingSide A - Variant 2
PHXUK-1004A-1 B-1 Brown EXP Sound CuttingSide B - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | Phoenix Records PHX 1004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Italy | Phoenix Records PHX 1004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | Phoenix Records PHX 1004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | Phoenix Records PHX 1004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | Phoenix Records PHX 1004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | Phoenix Records PHX 1004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Mexico | Phoenix Records PHX 1004LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Movieplay 14.2340/8LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Mexico | Phoenix Records PHX 1004LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Mexico | Phoenix Records PHX 1004LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
10 vinyl pressings of Early Years (1) are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Italy, France. One of them is Phoenix Records PHX 1004, released July 17, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PHX 1004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHX 1004-A and PHX 1004-B. 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.
