Vinyl pressings
by The Partridge Family · 1972
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 14 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.
BW-1368 ˢᴳ ② MR △88706Run-out Side A, etched
BW-1369 ˢᴳ ① MR △88706-XRun-out Side A, etched
1368Label Side A
1369Label Side B
BW-1368 SG ARPEtched Side A, except ARP stamped
BW-1369 SG ARPEtched Side B, except ARP stamped
BW-1368ˢᶜ SHELLEY 6-1-72 27690[written backwards] ƧSide A runout, variant 1
BW-1369ˢᶜ SHELLEY 6-1-72 27679[written backwards] ƧSide B runout, variant 1
BW-1368 ˢᶜ SHELLEY 6-1-72 27359{Backwards} Ƨ(Stamped)Side B runout, variant 2
BW-1369 ˢᶜ SHELLEY 6-1-72 27392{Backwards}Side B runout, variant 2
BW-1368 SG BESTWAYA-Side Runout Etching
BW-1369 SG BESTWAYB-Side Runout Etching
1363-BWA-Side Label
1369-BWB-Side Label
BW-1368ˢᶜSide A Runout, etched
BW-1369ˢᶜSide B Runout, etched
1368Side A Label
1369Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Bell Records 2008 079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Bell Records 2008 079First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1972 | Australia | Bell Records 2008 079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Bell Records 2008 079First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1972 | Belgium | Bell Records 2008 079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Bell Records BELL 45235XFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Bell Records 2008 079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Greece | Bell Records 2008 086First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Ireland | Bell Records MABEL 1First year7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1972 | Italy | Bell Records 2008 079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Mexico | Bell Records 197First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Bell Records 2008 079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Scandinavia | Bell Records 2008.079First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | South Africa | Bell Records PS 214First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Spain | Bell Records 20 08 079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Bell Records 2008 0797", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Guatemala | Bell Records 2008 0797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Lebanon | Bell Records 20080797", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | Bell Records 45,2357", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
29 vinyl pressings of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Bell Records 45,235, released June 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45,235, MABEL 1, 2008 079, BELL 45235X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BW-1368 ˢᴳ ② MR △88706 and BW-1369 ˢᴳ ① MR △88706-X. 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.
