Vinyl pressings
by The Boys · 1977
The Boys was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 6 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.
NEL-6001-A-1 'W' A1 A ƱRunout side A, variant 1
NEL-6001-B-1 A1 E ƱRunout side B, variant 1
NEL-6001-A-1 'W' A1 A ƱRunout side A, variant 2
NEL-6001-B-1 A1 Ʊ URunout side B, variant 2
Ʊ NEL-6001-A-1Side A runout variant 1
Ʊ NEL-6001-B-1Side B runout variant 1
NEL-6001-A-1 W A1E (lyre symbol)Side A runout variant 2
NEL-6001-B-1 A1(indecipherable letter) (lyre symbol)Side B runout variant 2
8 SMX 51633 .2ASide A runout
1 SMX 51634 .2ASide B runout
25316 A1 Too [?]Runout, side A, etched
25316 B1 loo [?]Runout, side B, etched
25 316 ALabel, side A
25 316 BLabel, side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia & New Zealand | NEMS L 36458First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Eurodisc 913157 / Eurodisc 25316First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Nems NEL6001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | NEMS NEL 6001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Safety Pin SRL 910.011 / NEMS SRL 910.011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Norway | Philips 9114 024First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | NEMS NEL 6001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | NEMS NEL 6001LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | UK | NEMS NEL 6001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Portugal | Movieplay MOV-9.025LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Movieplay 17.1321/0LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Link Records CLINK 2LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | UK | Link Records CLINK 2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1998 | Italy | Get Back GET 35 / Get Back GET35LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1998 | UK | Captain Oi! AHOY LP519LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Italy | Get Back GET35 PLP, Reissue, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Reissue, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 2005 | Italy | Get Back GET35LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Fire Records FV285LP, Album, Deluxe Edition | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition |
| 2018 | UK | Call Of The Void VOID002LPLP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK | Call Of The Void VOID002LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
20 vinyl pressings of The Boys are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Australia & New Zealand, France, Italy and more. One of them is NEMS NEL 6001, released September 23, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NEL 6001, L 36458, 913157, NEL6001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NEL-6001-A-1 'W' A1 A Ʊ and NEL-6001-B-1 A1 E Ʊ. 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.
