Vinyl pressings
by Tom Jones · 1968
Help Yourself was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
58 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 28 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.
DR-42876-TI-3CSide A runout, stamped. Variant 1
DR-42993-TI-3CSide B runout, stamped. Variant 1
DR-42876-T1-2CSide A runout, stamped. Variant 2
DR-42993-T1-2CSide B runout, stamped. Variant 2
JT I DR-42876-TI-4C B BRunout side A
3 C DR-42993-TI-4C JT A KRunout side B
DR-42876-TI-3CRunout, stamped, side A
DR-42993-TI-3CRunout, stamped, side A
{DR 42876}Label, side A, inverted
(DR 42993)Label, side B, inverted
DR-42876-T1-4CRunout side A
DR-42993-T1-3CRunout side B
DR 42876Label side A, inverted
✝DR 42993✝Label side B, inverted
DR-42876-T1-2CStamped, side 1
DR-42993-T1-1C
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | London Records 33DLM 5069First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Decca Y-8441First year45 RPM, 7", Single | 45 RPM, 7", Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Decca Y-8441First year45 RPM, 7", Single | 45 RPM, 7", Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Decca Y-8441First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Belgium | Decca 26.185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Belgium | Decca 26.185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Belgium | Decca 125-79.632YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Brazil | London Records 7L-6044First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1968 | Brazil | London Records 7L-6044First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1968 | Canada | Parrot PAR.40029First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Denmark | Decca F 12 812 / Decca F.12812First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Denmark | Decca F12 812 / Decca F 12812First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Denmark | Decca F12 812 / Decca F 12812First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Denmark | Decca F12 812 / Decca F 12812First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Finland | Decca 45-F 12812First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | France | Decca 333.0207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Decca 333.0207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Decca Y-84417", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | Belgium | Decca 26.1857", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Germany | Decca DL 25 3447", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Lebanon | Decca MM 10047", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Parrot 45-400297", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
68 vinyl pressings of Help Yourself are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1968 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK, US, France, Argentina and more. One of them is Decca F.12812.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F.12812, F 12812, 45-40029, 45-PAR-40029) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DR-42876-TI-3C and DR-42993-TI-3C. 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.
