Vinyl pressings
by Whistling Jack Smith · 1967
I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
42 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 20 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.
DR39721-1D TIIIIRunout, Side A, Etched
DR39722-1D TIIIRunout, Side B, Etched
Bell SoundRunout, Side A&B, Stamped
DR 39721Label Side A
DR39721-1ARunout, Side A, Etched
DR39722-1DRunout, Side B, Etched
Bell SoundRunout, Side A&B, Stamped
DR 39721Label Side A
DR39721-BW Bell SoundRunout, Side A
DR39722-BW Bell SoundRunout, Side B
BW DR 39721Label Side A
BW DR 39722Label Side B
DR 39721Label Side A
DR 39722Label Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Australia | Deram DMA-1004First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Belgium | Deram D. M. 5 / Deram DM. 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Canada | Deram DM. 112First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Denmark | Deram DM 112 / Deram DM.112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Denmark | Deram DM.112 / Deram DM 112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Denmark | Deram DM.112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | France | Deram DR 39.721First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Germany | Deram DM. 112 / Deram DM 112First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Germany | Deram DM. 112 / Deram DM 112First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Germany | Deram DM. 112 / Deram DM 112First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Germany | Deram DM 112First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | Germany | Deram DM. 112 / Deram DM 112First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Greece | Deram DM 1253First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Hong Kong | Deram DM 112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Ireland | Deram DM.112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | UK | Deram DM 1127", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1974 | UK | Deram DM 1127", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1974 | UK | Deram DM 1127", Single, Reissue, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Reissue, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Decca F 139227", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Turkey | Deram DM 1127", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
47 vinyl pressings of I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1967 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Deram 45-DEM-85005.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-DEM-85005, 45-85005, DM.112, DMA-1004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DR39721-1D TIIII and DR39722-1D TIII. 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.
