Vinyl pressings
by The Irish Rovers · 1968
The Unicorn / Black Velvet Band 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.
14 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
45 L14613 8 2Side A, stamped, variant 1
45 L14576 6 2Side B, stamped, variant 1
45 L14613 3 2 IIISide A, stamped, variant 2
45 ;14576 4 2ISide B, stamped, variant 2
45 L14613 2 IRunout A stamped [ I etched]
45 L14576 9 IRunout B stamped [ I etched]
L 14,613Label A
L 14,576 ✤Label B
45 L14613 2 1A-Side Runout
45 L14576 2 1B-Side Runout
L 14,613A-Side Label
L 14,576 ✤B-Side Label
MX26335Side A runout, stamped (variant 1)
BMX26336Side A runout, stamped (variant 1)
MX26335. A.Side A runout, etched (variant 2)
MX26336. A.Side B runout, etched (variant 2)
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 | Brazil | Decca DC-11.012First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Decca 32254First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Decca 32254First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Decca DL 80 023First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Italy | Decca B06202First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Festival Records DK-2208First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Festival Records DK-2208First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Singapore | Life 7-155First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Festival Records DK-2208First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Decca 32254First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Decca 32254First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Decca 32254First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Decca 32254First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Decca 25763First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records 322547", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Festival Records DK-22087", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | Decca 322547", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records 322547", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
| ? | US | Decca 257637", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Decca 257637", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of The Unicorn / Black Velvet Band are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1968 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Australia, Canada, Brazil and more. One of them is Decca 32254, released January 22, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 32254, 25763, DK-2208, DC-11.012) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45 L14613 8 2 and 45 L14576 6 2. 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.
