Vinyl pressings
by The Crests · 1959
A Year Ago Tonight / Paper Crown was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 2 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.
KO8W-1546-1A-side runout, variant 1
B̶2̶P̶W̶-̶5̶0̶1̶0̶1̶G̶ KO8W-1466-1GB-side runout, variant 1
KO8W-1546-1 A1 RA-side runout, variant 2
KO8W-1466-1 A1 RB-side runout, variant 2
KO8W 1546 1B IA side stamped
KO8W 1466-1 1I I RB side etched
KO8W 1546A-side label
KO8W 1466B-side label
KO8W 1465A-side label
KO8W 1466B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Sweden | Top Rank International T 1038First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | US | Coed CO-521First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | US | Coed CO-521First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1959 | US | Coed CO-521First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1959 | US | Coed CO-521First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Germany | Top Rank International 75 0577", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Netherlands | Top Rank International 45-HTR-5607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Top Rank International 45-JAR-3027" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | US | Collectables 11217", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Quality 1974X7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Collectables 11217", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of A Year Ago Tonight / Paper Crown are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1959 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, Sweden. One of them is Coed CO-521.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CO-521, T 1038) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KO8W-1546-1 and B̶2̶P̶W̶-̶5̶0̶1̶0̶1̶G̶ KO8W-1466-1G. 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.
