Vinyl pressings
by The Hollies · 1969
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
XSB152447-1D I PSide A runout, variant 1
o XSB152448-2A PSide B runout, variant 1
o XSB152447-1D 1 P B 3Side A runout, variant 2
o XSB152448-2A P B 3Side B runout, variant 2
0 XSB152447-1CStamped side 1
(P X'd out) I S (A 2 with only bottom parts visible)Etched side 1
0 XSB152448-2DStamped side 2
I Ƨ A2Etched side 2
◦ XSB152447-1B \T C2Variant 1: A-Side stamp, exc "\T"
◦ XSB152448-2B \T C1Variant 1: B-Side stamp, exc "\T"
o XSB152447-1B \ T \ 5Side A runout, stamped (except "\ T", "5" etched)
XSB152448-2B | T BSide B runout, stamped (exceptt "| T" etched)
○ XSB152447-1B I TRunout side A
XSB152448-2B I TRunout side B
XSB 152447Label side A
XSB 152448Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Epic BN 26538First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Taiwan | Giant TD-1063LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1969 | US | Epic BN 26538First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Epic BN 26538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Epic BN 26538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Epic BN 26538First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Epic BN 26538First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic BN 26538LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia Limited Edition LE 10168 / Epic LE 10168LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Special Products EN 13092LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia P 13092 / Columbia Special Products P 13092LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Canada. One of them is Epic BN 26538.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BN 26538) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSB152447-1D I P and o XSB152448-2A P. 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.
