Vinyl pressings
by The Dave Clark Five · 1968
The Red Balloon was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 21 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.
7XCA 32187-1Machine stamped in run-out area A-side
7XCA 32188-1Machine stamped in run-out area B-side
7XCA 32187Label A-side
7XCA 32188Label B-side
7XCA 32187-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
7XCA 32188-1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
7XCA 32187-1 MG KT 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
7XCA 32188-1 MH KT 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
7XCA 32187-1Side A Runout Stamped
7XCA 32188-1Side B Runout Stamped
7XCA 32187Label A-side
7XCA 32188Label B-side
J ZSP138535-1ASide A
J ZSP138536-1ASide B
ZSP 138535A
ZSP 138536B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | Odeon Pops DTOA-8443First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Argentina | Odeon Pops DTOA-8443First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Australia | Columbia DO-8504First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Canada | Capitol Records 72552First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Denmark | Columbia DB 8465First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Egypt | Columbia DB 8465First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | France | Columbia CF 164First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Columbia C 23 893 / Columbia 45 DW 6801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Columbia C 23 893 / Columbia 45 DW 6801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Columbia C 23 893 / Columbia 45 DW 6801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 426First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 426First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Ireland | Columbia DB (I) 8465First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Italy | Columbia SCMQ 7111First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Italy | Columbia SCMQ 7111First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
33 vinyl pressings of The Red Balloon are listed here, from 21 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK, US, New Zealand, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia DB 8465, released September 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DB 8465, 5-10375, DNZ 10590, DTOA-8443) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7XCA 32187-1 and 7XCA 32188-1. 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.
