Vinyl pressings
by Thurston Harris · 1957
Little Bitty Pretty One 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.
15 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-AL-3398-X ② △18081Side A Runout Etched, variant 1
45-3398 QSide B Runout Etched, variant 1
45-AL-3398-X ⑦ △18081Side A Runout Etched, variant 2
45-3398 QSide B Runout Etched, variant 2
45-AL-3318-X 10 △18081A-side runout, variant 1, etched, "10" is within a circle, a triangle before "18081"
45-3398 QB-side runout, variant 1, etched
45-3398-X 45-MR-2952-G-7A-side runout, variant 2, etched
45-3398 QB-side runout, variant 2, etched
45-AL-3398-X 8 18081A-side runout (variation 1)
45-3398-QB-side runout (Variation 1)
45-3398 XA-side runout (variation 2)
45-3398 QB-side runout (variation 2)
45-3398-X 45·MR-2952-G-7Side A Runout, etched
45-3398 QSide B Runout, etched
MR-2952 XSide A Label
MR-2953 QSide B Label
45-3398-X 45·MR-2952-G-5A Side, etched
45-3398QB Side, etched
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 | Canada | Quality K1670First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | Canada | Quality 1670First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | Jamaica | Down Beat 214 GFirst yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | UK | Vogue Records V 9092First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | US | Aladdin 45-3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Aladdin 45-3398First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1957 | US | Aladdin 45-3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Aladdin 3398First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1957 | US | Aladdin 45-3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Aladdin 45-3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Aladdin 45-3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Intro Records 45-6099First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | US | Aladdin 45-3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1957 | US | Aladdin 45-3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1957 | UK | Vogue Productions 45/V 9092First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Sue Records WI 40167" | 7" |
16 vinyl pressings of Little Bitty Pretty One are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in US, UK, Canada, Jamaica. One of them is Aladdin 45-3398.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-3398, 3398, 45-6099, 45/V 9092) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-AL-3398-X ② △18081 and 45-3398 Q. 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.
