Vinyl pressings
by The Tune Weavers · 1957
Happy, Happy Birthday Baby was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1957, the album's first year, in 4 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.
45-8539-4037-3Side A runout variant 1
CHESS 45-8062 P.P.Side B runout variant 1
45-8539-4037-BSide A runout variant 2
CHESS 45-8062 P.P.Side B runout variant 2
ZTSC-9475-1KC.A side deadwax - etched
ZTSC 9489-1KC.B side deadwax - etched
8539 / ZTSC-9475A side label
8062 / ZTSC-9489B side label
45-8539-4037-SA-side runout
CHESS 45-8062 P.P.B-side runout
8539A-side label
8062B-side label
8539Label side A
8062Label side B
45-4037-8539 #2 △16809Runout A
45-8062 4 #2 △9037Runout B
8539A-side label
8062B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Netherlands | London Records FL 1660First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1957 | New Zealand | London Records 45-NZL.287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | New Zealand | London Records NZL.287First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | London Records 45-HL.8503First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | UK | London American Recordings HL.8503First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | London American Recordings HLD8503First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1957 | US | Checker 872First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1957 | US | Checker 8727", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1957 | US | Checker 8727", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1957 | US | Checker 872First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1957 | US | Checker 872First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Checker 872First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | US | Checker 872First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Checker 8727", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress |
| 1957 | US | Checker 8727", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | London Records DL 20 1367", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Checker 8727", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Checker 8727", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Checker 872Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Reissue | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Happy, Happy Birthday Baby are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1957 and 1958.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in US, UK, Netherlands, New Zealand. One of them is Checker 872.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 872, 45-HL-8503, 45-HL.8503, HL.8503) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-8539-4037-3 and CHESS 45-8062 P.P.. 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.
