Vinyl pressings
by Toni Fisher · 1959
The Big Hurt / Memphis Belle was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 7 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.
E4975 SIG 1084A side matrix code - runout (etched)
SIG 1085 E4976B side matrix code - runout (etched)
45-ST-1084A side matrix code - label
45-ST-1085B side matrix code - label
SIG 1084 E 4975A side matrix code - runout
SIG 1085 E 4976B side matrix code - runout
45-ST-1084A side matrix code - label
45-ST-1085B side matrix code - label
45-ST-1084A-Side Label
45-ST-1085B-Side Label
E 4975 SIG 1084A-Side Label
SIG 1085 E 4976B-Side Label
45 KR 467-1U M ET 1A side runout, stamped
45 KR 468-1U O ET 1B side runout, stamped
Side A8437X-S1
Side B8437X-S2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | Reo 8437XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Germany | Top Rank International 75 047 AFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1959 | Japan | Top Rank International RANK-1018First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | New Zealand | Top Rank International 45JAR-141First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Sweden | Top Rank International T 1029First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1959 | UK | Top Rank International 45-JAR-261First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | US | Signet 3-275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1959 | US | Signet 3-275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1959 | US | Signet 3-275First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1959 | US | Signet 3-275First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | France | Top Rank International RS 1237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Netherlands | Top Rank International 45-HTR-5557", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Australia | Festival Records FK-31307", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
13 vinyl pressings of The Big Hurt / Memphis Belle are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1959 and 1960.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Signet 3-275.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-275, 45-JAR-261, 8437X, 75 047 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, E4975 SIG 1084 and SIG 1085 E4976. 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.
