Vinyl pressings
by The Rip Chords · 1963
Hey Little Cobra / The Queen 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.
16 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 9 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.
RZSP-71578-1AHSide A runout variant 1
RZSP-71577-1AGSide B runout variant 1
RZSP-71578-1ASide A runout variant 2
RZSP-71577-1ASide B runout variant 2
RZSP-71578-1B TIIIISide A runout, variant 1
RZSP-71577-1B TIIIISide B runout, variant 1
RZSP-71578-1B TIIIIISide A runout, variant 2
RZSP-71577-1B TIIIIIISide B runout, variant 2
RZSP-71578-1ERunout side A, variant 1
RZSP-71577-1FRunout side B, variant 1
JRZSP-71578-1ERunout side A, variant 2
RZSP-71577-1KRunout side B, variant 2
RZSP-71578-1BA Block-shaped "S" stampRunout side A
RZSP-71577-1BD - Block-shaped "S" stampRunout side B
RZSP 71578Label side A
RZSP 71577Label side B
RZSP 71578Side A label
RZSP 71577Side B label
RZSP-71578-1C H
JRZSP-71577-1D HH
RZSP-71578-1ARunout side A
RZSP-71577-1ARunout side B
RZSP 71578Label side A
RZSP 71577Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Australia | CBS BA-221074First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Canada | Columbia 4-42921First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Denmark | CBS AAG 181First year7", 45 RPM, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1963 | Netherlands | CBS 1.381 / CBS 42921First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | New Zealand | CBS BA-461042First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Norway | CBS AAG 181First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | South Africa | CBS SSC.464First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | UK | CBS AAG 181First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | Columbia 4-42921First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1963 | US | Columbia 4-42921First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Columbia 4-42921First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Columbia 4-42921First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Columbia 4-42921First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | Columbia 4-42921First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | Columbia 4-42921First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
17 vinyl pressings of Hey Little Cobra / The Queen are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1963 and 1964.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 4-42921, released November 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-42921, AAG 181, BA-221074, 1.381) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RZSP-71578-1AH and RZSP-71577-1AG. 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.
