RCA Records Pressing Plant, Rockaway

RCA Records pressing plant in Rockaway, New Jersey; opened in 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.

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 "Mastered 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)