Vinyl pressings
by The Rolling Stones · 1972
Happy 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.
16 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 7 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.
RS-24181-12-RE (MR) Δ88909 AT ROllING STONES RECORDSSide A Runout
RS-24186-5 (MR) AT Δ88878 ROllING STONES RECORDSSide B Runout
RS-24181-MOSide A Label
RS-24186-MOSide B Label
ROLLING STONES RECORDS RS-24181-9 PP ATRunout A etched, variant 1
ROLLING STONES RECORDS RS-24186-3 PP ATRunout B etched, variant 1
ROLLING STONES RECORDS RS-24181-10 PP ATRunout A etched, variant 2
ROLLING STONES RECORDS RS-24186-4 PP ATRunout B etched, variant 2
ROLLING STONES RECORDS RS-24181-7 1-3 AT[Variant 1] Runout A
ROLLING STONES RECORDS RS-24186-1 1-1 SP AT[Variant 1] Runout B
ROLLING STONES RECORDS [SRC Logo] RS-24181-7 1-3 AT[Variant 2] Runout A - etched; SRC Logo - stamped
ROLLING STONES RECORDS RS-24186-1 1-2 SP AT[Variant 2] Runout B - etched
SR-RS-24181-1 1-1PA-side
SR-RS-24186-1 1-2B-side
RS-24181-7 1-1 AT ROLLING STONES RECORDS SRC(logo)A-Side Runout Etching
RS-24186-2 AT ROLLING STONES RECORDS SRC(logo)B-Side Runout Etching
RS-24181 SPA-Side Label
RS-24186 SPB-Side Label
RS-24181-PLA-Side Label
RS-24186-PLB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Brazil | Rolling Stones Records RS - 19104First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Rolling Stones Records S 19104First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Rolling Stones Records S 19104First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Greece | Rolling Stones Records 2014 005First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Mexico | Rolling Stones Records G-1151 / Gamma G-1151First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Turkey | Atlantic 72505First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Rolling Stones Records RS-19104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Rolling Stones Records RS-19104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Rolling Stones Records RS-19104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Rolling Stones Records RS-19104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Rolling Stones Records RS-19104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Rolling Stones Records RS-19104First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Rolling Stones Records RS-19104First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Rolling Stones Records RS-19104First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Japan | Rolling Stones Records P-1156SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Rolling Stones Records GS 457937", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Thailand | Not On Label (The Rolling Stones) RS-191047", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
22 vinyl pressings of Happy are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Japan, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Rolling Stones Records RS-19104, released June 28, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS-19104, P-1156S, RS - 19104, S 19104) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RS-24181-12-RE (MR) Δ88909 AT ROllING STONES RECORDS and RS-24186-5 (MR) AT Δ88878 ROllING STONES RECORDS. 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.
