Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1975
Squeeze Box was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 10 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.
2121275 A//1 420 05 11 14 PRSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
2121275 B//1 420 05 11 13Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
2121275 A//1 420 05 14 15 PRSide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
2121275 B//1 420 05 11 5Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
(Side A, Stamped): 2121275 A//1 420 05 11 7
(Side A, Etched): PR
(Side B, Stamped): 2121275 B//1 420 05 11 2
MC4430 W-2 ATL ⧈─G─⧈Side A runout
MC4433 W-1 ATL ⧈─G─⧈Side B runout
MC 4430Side A label
MC 4433Side B label
MC4430 W-4 ATL ◈-P-◈Run-out Side A, etched (◈-P-◈ stamped), Variant 1
MC4433 W3 ATL ◈-P-◈Run-out Side B, etched (◈-P-◈ stamped), Variant 1
MC 4430 W-3 ATL ◈-P-◈ IIRun-out Side A, etched (◈-P-◈ stamped), Variant 2
MC 4433 W-3 ATL ◈-P-◈ IIRun-out Side B, etched (◈-P-◈ stamped), Variant 2
MC4430 W3 ATLRunout Side A
MC443" W3 ATLRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Polydor 2121 275First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Austria | Polydor 2121 275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Belgium | Polydor 2121275AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40475First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | France | Polydor 2121 275First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | Polydor 2121 275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Ireland | Polydor 2121 275First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Polydor 2121 275First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor 2121 275First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor 2121 275First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1975 | US | MCA Records MCA-40475First year7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1975 | US | MCA Records MCA-40475First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | MCA Records MCA-40475First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | MCA Records MCA-40475First year7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1976 | Uruguay | Polydor 2121 2757" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-404757", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-404757", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA 404757", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-404757", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Squeeze Box are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1975 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor 2121 275.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2121 275, MCA-40475, 2121275A, MCA 40475) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2121275 A//1 420 05 11 14 PR and 2121275 B//1 420 05 11 13. 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.
