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BASIC INFORMATION

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      The purpose of this Web site is to aid in the identification of original, first press, 45 RPM records.  The rise in the record collecting hobby has created an increased demand for not only rare and obscure records, but many of the "top 40" hits also.  Many collectors, especially those at the novice level, do not have any basis to work from in differentiating first presses from reproductions, reissues, and subsequent presses.  On the included Web pages we have attempted to provide this basis.

      This site contains a label section with pictures and label descriptions.  Within each description will be information on label design variations that can be used to determine first pressings.  Please keep in mind that label design changes were almost never 100% complete at a specific record number.  Different pressing plants, a record's popularity, and even old labels lying around, account for discs appearing with labels that were discontinued even years before.  Two fine examples of this are:  "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles (Atlantic 2031) appearing on a yellow label with no fan (in reality a dj copy) and "Peek A Boo" by the Cadillacs on the early brown print label (Josie 846).  There are, of course, instances where companies used more than one label style at the same time.  In this case each one is considered original and scarcity usually dictates demand and value.

      Reproductions (also known as boots, or fakes) usually present a problem equal in magnitude to the quality used in producing them.  Some are extremely good and almost have to be compared to an original for detection.  The most common justification for reproductions is that they provide the collector with a record that he or she might otherwise never own.  This is fine if the record is never misrepresented as an original.  A simple indication that everyone could recognize in the dead wax would have helped prevent any future rip off.  This method was used by a couple of conscientious people.  By putting the date or other information in the dead wax they have provided the record, and its sound, to the collector, without providing a potential money maker to the unscrupulous.  Please note that some of the detection tips, although a reasonable guarantee of originality, do not always apply to each and every original that was pressed.  For instance an original may have been machine stamped with the word Sheldon.  This does not necessarily mean every original was machine stamped with the word Sheldon.

      As a final suggestion, know who you are dealing with whenever possible.  Unfortunately there are very few true record experts in the entire country, but with the expansion of the hobby, and continued education through the efforts of these experts, we may all become experts one day.

      The word reproduction, or fake,  refers to fairly exact copies of originals in both label design and the actual recording.  These are also sometimes referred to as boots or bootlegs even though this term normally refers to material previously unrecorded.  Records previously unrecorded as originals are not included on this site.  The lack of originality in these cases should be obvious.

      A number of machine stamped symbols will be referred to on this site.  MR with a circle around it, Sheldon, Audio Matrix, etc., are figures used by people involved in the manufacture of a particular record.  As stated above, the appearance of these symbols in the dead wax is a good indication of originality, but originals of the same record may exist without this symbol because of multiple pressings.  A hand written delta symbol (triangle), followed by a number, is also usually a good indication of an original.  Hand written dates in the wax, much later than when the record was originally produced, are an indication of a reproduction.  The letters CS or the separate number 340 are also a good indication of a reproduction.  The correct label was usually one of good quality, many reproductions have poor resolution and look blurry because of the copy process. This is a potential clue to their authenticity.  During the 50's there was a transition period where 45's and 78's were both being produced.  As a result many 45's were pressed with the number 45 as part of the information in the dead wax.  This is helpful because many (not all) of the reproductions left this out.  A final point worth noting is the practice of machine stamping the numbers in the dead wax.  This was done by some companies, and with the exception of a few records, is an excellent indication of an original.  The above information, coupled with the knowledge that a particular reproduction exists, should enable you to identify most records.

      Every effort was made to list all existing reproductions, but there are surely a few that will have been missed.  Some specifications on originals are also missing because it is impossible to examine every variation of every record from each company.  The information that is given should provide nearly everyone with something helpful.

      Most of the smaller labels, or labels with one or two significant releases, will only have a write-up and picture about the record/s of importance.  Larger labels, or where necessary, a sequence will show known variations and detail other facts.  The delta number pressings will be noted if they offer some significance.