Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1981
Don't Let Go The Coat was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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.
WHO 5 A//1▽E ST 1 1 2 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
WHO 5 B//2▽E ST 1 1 2 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
WHO 5 A//1▽E ST 1 1 5 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
WHO 5 B//2▽E ST 1 1 1 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
WBS 49743 YAA 9905S A1 0-1 SW1-R R-7454 STERLINGA side runout
WBS 49743 YAA 9911S SR1 1-3 STERLING [SRC]B side runout
YAA 9905SA side label
YAA 9911SB side label
WBS 49743 YAA 9905 DJ A1 R-7453 [Allied logo] STERLINGRunout side A
WBS 49743 YAA 9905 S A1 R-7454 STERLINGRunout side B
YAA 9905 DJSide A Label
YAA 9905SSide B Label
MX198655Label A Side
MX198656Label B Side
WBS-49743-A QRunout Side A
WBS-49743-B QRunout Side B
49743-ALabel Side A
49743-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49743First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49743First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49743First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Polydor WHO 5 / Polydor 2002 062First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2002 062First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2002 062First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor 2002 062First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 02 062First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor WHO 5First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS49743First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS49743First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1981 | UK | Polydor WHO 5 / Polydor WHO5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Polydor 2002 062First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Don't Let Go The Coat are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor WHO 5, released April 24, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WHO 5, WBS49743, 2002 062, WBS 49743) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WHO 5 A//1▽E ST 1 1 2 STERLING and WHO 5 B//2▽E ST 1 1 2 STERLING. 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.
