Vinyl pressings
by The Cats · 1969
Why was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. 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 1969, the album's first year, in 9 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.
7 HM 2065 // 11.553-1Runout side A, variant 1
7 HM 2064 // 11.554-1Runout side B, variant 1
7 HM 2065 // 11.553-1 24 1 1Runout side A, variant 2
7 HM 2064 // 11.554-1 29 1 1Runout side B, variant 2
CL7757-1C TIRunout A, etched
CL7758-1C TIRunout B, etched
CL 7757Label A
CL 7758Label B
7 HM 2064Runout Side A
7 HM 2065Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | France | Pathé 2C 006-24016 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | Columbia 1 C 006-24016First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Italy | Stateside 3C 006-24016 M / Stateside QSS 1134First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Malaysia | Columbia EAC-1015First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Columbia DNZ 10623First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-60862First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Imperial IH 852First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Sire 45-SI-4114First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Sire 45-4114First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | UK | Columbia DB 8571First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | Columbia SCRL 557", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of Why are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in Netherlands, US, UK, France and more. One of them is Imperial IH 852, released March 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IH 852, 45-SI-4114, 45-4114, DB 8571) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7 HM 2065 // 11.553-1 and 7 HM 2064 // 11.554-1. 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.
