RCA Records Pressing Plant, Rockaway
RCA Records pressing plant in Rockaway, New Jersey; opened in July 1954, expanded in 1957 and closed in early 1973. Known to have pressed for Columbia Records & Apple Records as well as many other major and independent record labels. Identification: - Stamped capital "R" runouts; beginning 1971, pressings often had a hand-etched "R" instead. In some cases the "R" may be poorly stamped and can be mistaken for an "H"; examine carefully. - Sometimes "RC" will appear stamped or etched. - 2.75" (70mm) "deep groove" pressing ring through 1968; 1" (25mm) ring 1968 - 1973. From June 5 to July 6, 1967, a strike by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers against several RCA plants, including the pressing operations of Rockaway and Indianapolis (but not Hollywood), shut down production of LP's and singles, to the point where pressing of RCA and custom client product was subcontracted to plants such as Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute, MGM Custom Pressing Division, Presswell, Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Scranton, Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles and Allied Record Company. Note: After this plant's closure, some Rockaway stampers were shipped to other RCA plants or, in the case of Roulette titles, to third-party pressers for repressing; these can be identified by the struck-through "R" stamp or etch. Use the "Plated At" LCCN role in these cases. General RCA Mastering Information: The first alpha in runouts (for all plants) indicates year of mastering (between 1960 and 1977): L=60, M=61, N=62, P=63, R=64, S=65, T=66, U=67, W=68, X=69, Z=70, A=71, B=72, C=73, D=74, E=75, F=76, G=77. The 2nd alpha indicates size/speed; K=7" 45, L=7" 33⅓, P=10" 33⅓ & R=12" 33⅓. "4" indicates lacquer cut from tape supplied & "5" indicates lacquer supplied to RCA. Either of these digits in front of the 2nd alpha = January to June and behind the alpha = July to December of the year indicator. The 4th alpha indicates whether a record is mono ("M"), stereo ("S"), or even quadraphonic ("T"). (e.g. R4KM prefix would be a 1964 7" 45, cut between Jan & Jun from tape supplied)