Costello single question

[DavidBlunt]

Recently I read that the Costello single WITHOUT the F Beat numbers
and the scratched out TT7 numbers is rarer then the version with all
the numbers in the grooves scratched out. I'm curious about this
because from what I know, there was 13,000 of these earlier versions
produced (without the scratches) for sale but recalled/given away,
then a few thousand later printed up (with all the scratched out
numbers) for give-away/sales in the US on Costello's tour. This would
imply that the scratched out versions would be rarer as less were
produced unless most of the first versions were actually destroyed by
the record company which I've never read was the case. Unless Ive got
my orders wrong and the scratched out version is the first version but
this seems odd...

Cheers,
David

[jason]

The story of the Costtello single:

http://2-tone.info/2tone.pl?show101&

In about 1982 or 83 I bought a copy of the Costello single without the
F Beat numbers for £15. A handsome amount for a single at the time,
and considering how little money I had then, relatively speaking it’s
probably the most I ever paid for a 7 inch.

[DavidBlunt]

Hi Jason. I read that but I'm still confused on why the earlier
version (without the crossed out numbers) is rarer as you would think
the first pressing was the largest as the second pressing was done
after Costello/2 Tone were told not to print/sell them. i couldn't
imagine them doing a huge 'secret' pressing. But to be honest, I
rarely see them without the crossed out numbers up for sale. Maybe the
first batch had a lot thrown away/destroyed...
David

[jason]

I suppose it depends on how many of the first pressings were destoryed
or re-cycled, as was the norm back then.

I have owned countless copies of this single over the years, but I
have only ever come across one without the F Beat tag. And that one is
safely tucked away with the rest of my vinyl.

I bought it from a dealer who advertised in the old A5 version of
Record Collector. Back in those days you could pick up an A&M version
of God Save The Queen for £80, which would have been a great
investment. If any of us had 80 notes back then that is.