Vinyl pressings
by The Crew Cuts · 1955
Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So) / Earth Angel was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year, in 7 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.
YW11208 2F I URun-out Side A, stamped, variant 1
YW 11209 1 F I URun-out Side B, stamped, variant 1
YW11208 2F I URun-out Side A, stamped, variant 2
YW 11209 2F I URun-out Side B, stamped, variant 2
YB11208
YB11209
YWU 11208-1 AJC R 1A side runout
YWU 11209-2 AZE R 1B side runout
YW 11208A side label
YW 11209B side label
YBU11208A-side runout, etched
YWU-11209B-side runout, etched
YW11208 2F I URun-out Side A, stamped, variant 1
YW 11209 1 F I URun-out Side B, stamped, variant 1
YW11208 2F I URun-out Side A, stamped, variant 2
YW 11209 2F I URun-out Side B, stamped, variant 2
YBU-11208A etched
YVVU-11209B etched
YB11208A label
YB11209B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Australia | Esquire Mercury A-1188First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Belgium | Mercury 70529First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Misprint | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Misprint |
| 1955 | Canada | Mercury 70529-X45First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | Canada | Mercury 70529First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | New Zealand | Mercury M4105First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | South Africa | Mercury MER 315First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70529-X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70529First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70529-X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70529X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70529X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70529-X457", 45 RPM, Advance, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Advance, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70529First year10", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono | 10", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70529X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | UK | Mercury MB. 3202First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 70529Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Mercury 70529Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Mercury 70529Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Mercury 70529Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
19 vinyl pressings of Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So) / Earth Angel are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury 70529-X45.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 70529-X45, 70529, 70529X45, MB. 3202) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YW11208 2F I U and YW 11209 1 F I U. 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.
