Vinyl pressings
by The Damned · 1977
Problem Child 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.
11 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
BUY 18 A-1U GO 2Runout A stamped, variant 1
BUY 18 B-1U GR 1Runout B stamped, variant 1
BUY 18 A-1U GA 2Runout A stamped, variant 2
BUY 18 B-1U M 1Runout B stamped, variant 2
BUY 18 A-1 U GO 2Runout side A, stamped variant 1
BUY 18 B-1 U II 2Runout side B, stamped variant 1
BUY 18 A-1 U O 1Runout side A, stamped variant 2
BUY 18 B-1 U R 1Runout side B, stamped variant 2
BUY 18 A-1UA Side Stamped
BUY 18 B-1UB Side Stamped
BUY 18 A-1 URunout side A, stamped
BUY 18 B-1 URunout side B, stamped
BUY 18 A-2 U A Porky Prime Cut Dave Vanian SucksRunout side A
BUY 18 B-1 URunout side B
Dave Vanian Sucks Porky Prime Cut BUY 18 A-2URunout side A
BUY 18 B-1URunout 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 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 196 / Stiff Records 6.12196 ACFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Stiff Records BUY 18 / Stiff Records 6.12196 ACFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 1967", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 18First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 18First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 18First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 18First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 18First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 18First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 18First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 18First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 18First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 187", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 187", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Italy | Earmark 40032-37", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK | BMG BMGCAT149SV7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
16 vinyl pressings of Problem Child are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1977 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Germany. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 18, released September 28, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 18, 6.12 196) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 18 A-1U GO 2 and BUY 18 B-1U GR 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.
