Vinyl pressings
by Underground Sunshine · 1969
Birthday was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 15 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.
45612 2 1-1 MRA-side runout etching, variant 1
45613 1 1-1 MRB-side runout etching, variant 1
45612 1 1-1 MRA-side runout stamped, 1-1 MR etched, variant 2
45613 1 1-1 MRB-side runout stamped, 1-1 MR etched, variant 2
100 Earth S-1Runout A, etched
Earth 100 S-2Runout B, etched
100-ASide A Label
100-BSide B Label
1-45612Side A Label
1-45613Side B Label
TF272600-1FSide A Label
TF272600-1FSide B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Fontana TF-14First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Belgium | Fontana TF 272600First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Brazil | Philips cs 139.043First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | Intrepid IN. 75002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Fontana 262 600 MFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | Fontana 267 600 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Greece | Fontana 272 600 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Fontana TF 272600 / Fontana 272 600 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Italy | Fontana 272 600 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Japan | Mercury SM-1081First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Fontana 272 600 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Fontana TF 272600First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Norway | Fontana 272.600 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Spain | Fontana 272 600 TFFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1969 | UK | Fontana TF 1049First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Singapore | Fontana 272 600 TF7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
20 vinyl pressings of Birthday are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Intrepid 75002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 75002, 100, TF 1049, TF-14) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45612 2 1-1 MR and 45613 1 1-1 MR. 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.
