Vinyl pressings
by The Crew Cuts · 1954
Sh-Boom / I Spoke Too Soon was first pressed on vinyl in 1954. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1954, the album's first year, in 4 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.
YB 10696 5F #1 I F 1Side A runout, variant 1
YB 10697 5F V UISide B runout, variant 1
YB 10696 IF U ISide A runout, variant 2
YB 10697 I F 2 U ISide B runout, variant 2
YB 10696 5F F 1 6Stamped Side A
YB 10697 7F UIStamped Side B
YB10696Side A Label
YB10697Side B Label
B YBU 10696 MSide A Runout
D YBU 10697 MSide B Runout
YB10696Side A Label
YB10697Side B Label
YBU 10696 M1 ESide A Runout
YBU 10697 2 M ASide B Runout
YB10696Side A Label
YB10697Side B Label
YB 10696 5F 1ASide A runout, variant 1
YB 10697 4F A1 FISide B runout, variant 1
YB10696Side A label
YB10697Side B label
YBU 10696 M1 CSide A stamped
YBU 10697 M CSide B stamped
YB10696Side A label
YB10697Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Australia | Esquire Mercury A-1143First year10", 78 RPM | 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | Canada | Mercury 70404First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | Canada | Mercury 70404-X45First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404-X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404X45First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404First year7", 78 RPM | 7", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404First year7", 78 RPM | 7", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70404First year10", 78 RPM | 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | UK | Philips 6168 0327", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Germany | Mercury 874 834-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | Mercury 70404Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Italy | Mercury MM 70044Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 70404Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Mercury 7040410", 78 RPM, Repress | 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
23 vinyl pressings of Sh-Boom / I Spoke Too Soon are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1954 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1954, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is Mercury 70404, released June 1954.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 70404, 70404X45, 70404-X45, MB. 3140) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YB 10696 5F #1 I F 1 and YB 10697 5F V UI. 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.
