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The Who By Numbers by The Who, album cover

Vinyl pressings

The Who By Numbers

by The Who · 1975

84 pressings30 countriesHard RockRock

The Who By Numbers 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.

How to spot a first pressing of The Who By Numbers

39 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 24 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.

UK

October 3, 1975
Label and catalog number
Polydor 2490 129Polydor 2490-129
Format
LP, Album, Numbered, Stereo · UK Pressing
Runout / matrix

2490129 A//2 ML 1 3 1 TML-SVariant 1, side A

2490129 B//2 ML 1 2 2 TML-SVariant 1, side B

2490129 A//2 ML 1 3 5 TML-SVariant 2, side A

2490129 B//1 ML 1 3 TML-S 1Variant 2, side B

Full details of this pressing

UK

1975
Label and catalog number
Polydor 2490 129
Format
LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered
Runout / matrix

AA 2490 129 1Y 112 TML -MRunout side A, variant 1

AA 2490 129 2Y 111 TML -MRunout side B, variant 1

AA 2490 129 1Y 1 1 1 L TML-MRunout side A, variant 2

AA 2490 129 2Y 1 1 1 2 TML-MRunout side B, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

October 25, 1975
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA-2161
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Pinckneyville Press
Runout / matrix

MCA 850-W3 TML-M ◈-P-◈ |||Runout A, variant 1

MCA 851-W3 TML-M ◈-P-◈ |Runout B, variant 1

MCA 850-W3 TML-M ◈-P-◈ |||Runout A, variant 2

MCA 851-W4 TML-S ◈-P-◈ |Runout B, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

October 25, 1975
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA-2161
Format
LP, Album · Gloversville Pressing
Runout / matrix

MCA 850-W1 2 TML-S ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 1

MCA 851-W2 4 TML-M ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 1

MCA 850-W2 TML-M ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 2

MCA 851-W2 TML-M ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 84 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s54 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1975AustraliaPolydor 2480 309First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1975AustraliaPolydor 2480 309First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1975AustriaPolydor 2480 309First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1975BrazilTrack Record 2410 428 / Polydor 2410 428First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1975CanadaMCA Records MCA-2161First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1975CanadaMCA Records MCA-2161 / MCA Records MCA 2161First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1975CanadaMCA Records MCA-2161First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1975CanadaMCA Records MCA-2161First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1975FrancePolydor 2490 129First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1975FrancePolydor 2490 129First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1975GermanyPolydor 2480 309First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1975GermanyPolydor 2480 309First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1975GermanyPolydor 2480 309First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1975GermanyPolydor 2480 309First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · PromoLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo
1975GreeceInternational Polydor Production 2480 309First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
All 54 pressings from the 1970s
1980s14 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980CanadaMCA Records MCA-37002LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980USMCA Records MCA 37002 / MCA Records MCA-1579LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980USMCA Records MCA 37002LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980USMCA Records MCA-3026 / MCA Records MCA 37002LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980USMCA Records MCA-37002LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo
1980USMCA Records MCA-3026LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980USMCA Records 37002 / MCA Records MCA-1579LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980USMCA Records MCA-1579LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1981GermanyPolydor 2480 309LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1981GermanyPolydor 2480 309LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1982ItalyRCA YL 31613LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1982ItalyRCA YL 31613LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · PromoLP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo
1984SpainPolydor 24 80 309LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1985UKPolydor SPELP 68 / Polydor 2490 129LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
2000s4 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2003EuropePolydor 811 715-1LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2008USPolydor 2490 129 / Classic Records 2490 129LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue, Limited Edition · LimitedLP, Album, Remastered, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited
2008USClassic Records TTRK 2490129QLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing
2008USPolydor 2490 129 / Classic Records 2490 129LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2010s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2012EuropePolydor 3715627 / Universal Music Catalogue 3715627LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2015USPolydor B0022554-01 / Geffen Records B0022554-01LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2020s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2022EuropePolydor 00602537156276 / Universal Music CatalogueLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing
2024WorldwidePolydor ARHSLP028 / Universal Music Recordings ARHSLP028LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Year unknown8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?EuropePolydor 3715627 / Universal Music Catalogue 3715627LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
?EuropePolydor 3715627 / Universal Music Catalogue 3715627LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?GermanyPolydor 2480 309LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?GermanyPolydor 2480 309LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?NetherlandsPolydor 2480 309LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?UKNot On Label (The Who) 3501 230 PLP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture discLP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc
?USMCA Records MCA-3026LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?USMCA Records 37002 / MCA Records MCA-1579LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. A1Slip Kid
  2. A2However Much I Booze
  3. A3Squeeze Box
  4. A4Dreaming From The Waist
  5. A5Imagine A Man
  6. B1Success Story
  7. B2They Are All In Love
  8. B3Blue Red And Grey
  9. B4How Many Friends
  10. B5In A Hand Or A Face

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Who By Numbers are there?

84 vinyl pressings of The Who By Numbers are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1975 and 2024.

When was The Who By Numbers first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Mexico, Yugoslavia and more. One of them is Polydor 2490 129, released October 3, 1975.

How do I tell if my copy of The Who By Numbers is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2490 129, MCA-2161, LPR-16174, LP 5561) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2490129 A//2 ML 1 3 1 TML-S and 2490129 B//2 ML 1 2 2 TML-S. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Who By Numbers on vinyl worth?

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.

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