Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1982
It's Hard was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 20 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.
WHOD 5066 A/1 11 △ 2265 TML X THE WHO SLM - A SH1 XSide A runout variant 1
WHOD 5066 B/1 11 TML-M THE WHO -B SH1 △ 2265- X X SLMSide B runout variant 1
WHOD 5066 A/1 12 SLM X SH1 THE WHO-A TML X △ 2265Side A runout variant 2
WHOD 5066 B/1 12 SLM X △ 2265- X X SLM TSide B runout variant 2
1-23731-a JW5 #1 TMLSide A runout, variant 1
1-23731-B-JWZ #1 TMLX 0Side B runout, variant 1
1-23731-A-JW4#1 TMLX 0Side A runout, variant 2
1-23731-B-JW2#1 TMLX 0Side B runout, variant 2
1-23731-A SR2 SP TMLX [SRC Logo] 1-1SM2-1Runout Side 1 (var. 1)
1-23731-B SR3 1-1SM2-2 TML-M [SRC Logo]Runout Side 2 (var. 1)
1-23731-A SR2 SP TMLX 1-2Runout Side 1 (var. 2)
1-23731-B SR3 TML-M [SRC logo] 1-1 SM1-2Runout Side 2 (var. 2)
1-23731-A SR2 SP TMLXEtched Side 1
1-23731-B SR3 TML-MEtched Side 2
SRC (Large S with the R and C in the loops)Stamped Side 2
1-23731-A-WW4 TML-S —◁Side A etched except TML-S stamped, variant 1
1-23731-B-WW3 TML-M —◁Side B etched except TML-M stamped, variant 1
1-23731-A-WW4 TML-S —◁Side A etched except TML-S stamped, variant 2
1-23731-B-WW1 —◁Side B etched, variant 2
1-23731-A-SH5 TML-M ɑ B-17059-SH5 △2266 + SLMSide A runout, variant 1
1-23731-B-SH2 TML X ɑ B-17060-SH2 △2266-X +SLMSide B runout, variant 1
1-23731-A-SH5 TML-M ɑ B-17059-SH5 △2266 + SLMSide A runout, variant 2
1-23731-B-SH7 TML-S ɑ B-17060-SH7 △2266-X +SLMSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australasia | Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 37311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 37311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1982 | Germany | Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Ireland | Polydor WHOD 5066 / Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | Polydor 2311 180 / Phonokol 2311 180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Mexico | Polydor 2311 180 / Polydor LPR 16414First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Polydor 2311 180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Polydor 2311 188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Polydor 3715713LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | Polydor B0022557-01 / Geffen Records B0022557-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | Europe | Polydor 3715713LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Worldwide | Polydor 3894476 / UMC 3894476LP, LP, All Media, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, LP, All Media, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Polydor 2311 180 / Polydor MX206743LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 37311LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2311 180LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 2311 180LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
53 vinyl pressings of It's Hard are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1982 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor WHOD 5066, released September 3, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WHOD 5066, 9 23731-1, 28MM 0220, 2311 180) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WHOD 5066 A/1 11 △ 2265 TML X THE WHO SLM - A SH1 X and WHOD 5066 B/1 11 TML-M THE WHO -B SH1 △ 2265- X X SLM. 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.
