Vinyl pressings
by The Four Seasons · 1964
Big Man In Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 8 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.
PHW 33172-3 RRA-side runout, variant 1
PHW-33173-1 S RRB-side runout, variant 1
PHW 33172-1 RRA-side runout, variant 2
PHW 33173-4 S RRB-side runout, variant 2
PHW 33172-2 X-2076Runout A
PHW 33173-1 X-2077Runout B
PHW1-33172Label A
PHW1-33173Label B
PHW 33172-3 RRA-Side Runout Etching
PHW-33173-1 S RRB-Side Runout Etching
PHW1-33172A-side label
PHW1-33173B-side label
PHW 33172-4 RRA-Side Runout Etching
PHW-33173-5 RRB-Side Runout Etching
PHW1-33172A-side label
PHW1-33173B-side label
304057 1F ∇ 1 4201A side runout
304057 1F ∇ 1 4201B side runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | Philips BF-145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Canada | Philips 40238XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Denmark | Philips BF 304 057 / Philips 304.057 BFFirst year7", Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1964 | Netherlands | Philips JF 305 515 / Philips 305 515 JFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | New Zealand | Philips PF338065First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Norway | Philips 304.057 BFFirst year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | Philips BF 1372First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | Philips BF 1372First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Philips 40238First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | US | Philips 40238First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | US | Philips 40238First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | US | Philips 40238First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | Japan | Philips FL-11477", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Netherlands | Philips 340 057 BF7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono | 7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Philips BF-1457", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Big Man In Town are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1964 and 1965.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Philips 40238.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 40238, BF 1372, BF-145, 40238X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHW 33172-3 RR and PHW-33173-1 S RR. 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.
