Vinyl pressings
by The Pyramids · 1963
Penetration was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 3 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.
BR-3- 1D TI IIISide A runout, variant 1
BR-4 1D TI IIISide B runout, variant 1
BR-3- 1C TIIIISide A runout, variant 2
BR-4 1D TIISide B runout, variant 2
BR-3 p –1AA-Side Runout Etching
p BR4 – 1BB-Side Runout Etching
BR-3A-Side Label
BR-4B-Side Label
BR-3
BR-4
BR-3 - 1CSide A variant 1
BR-4 - 1DSide B variant 1
BR-3 -1ASide A variant 2
BR4-1BSide B variant 2
R BR-102-ASide A runout, etched
BR-102-BSide B runout, etched
BR-3 –1AA-Side Runout Etching
BR4 – 1BB-Side Runout Etching
BR-3A-Side Label
BR-4B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Canada | Best Records BS-13002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Greece | London Records 45-GL 7101First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Best Records 45-13002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Best Records 13002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Best Records 45-13002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Best Records 45-13002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Best Records BR-102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Best Records BR-102First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Best Records 45-13002-VFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Best Records 45-13002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Best Records 45-13002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | Australia | London Records HL-21757", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Belgium | London American Recordings 5.4797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | France | Disques London HLU. 9847 / London Records HLU. 98477", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1964 | Germany | London Records DL 20 7517", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Penetration are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1963 and 1964.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, Canada, Greece. One of them is Best Records 45-13002, released December 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-13002, 13002, BR-102, 45-13002-V) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BR-3- 1D TI III and BR-4 1D TI III. 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.
