Radiohead OK Computer First UK Pressing Value & Price Guide
In June 1997, Radiohead released OK Computer and reset the boundaries of what a rock album could sound like. Paranoid Android, Karma Police, No Surprises, Lucky, and Let Down arrived as a single, cohesive statement about technology, alienation, and the crushing weight of modern life. Critics called it a masterpiece. Twenty-eight years later, they still do. And the first UK pressing on Parlophone vinyl has become one of the most collectible rock records of the 1990s.
Original 1997 UK pressings in sealed condition now sell for $600-$800+. Open copies in excellent condition bring $150-$350 depending on vinyl grade and completeness.
Quick Value Summary
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Item | Radiohead - OK Computer (1st UK pressing) |
| Year | 1997 |
| Label | Parlophone / EMI |
| Format | 2xLP, Gatefold |
| Catalog | NODATA 01 |
| Category | Vinyl Records |
| Open (VG+) | $100 - $200 |
| Open (NM) | $200 - $350 |
| Sealed | $600 - $800+ |
| Record Sale | ~$1,000+ (factory sealed, first pressing) |
| Rarity | Moderately Rare (original pressing) |
The Story
OK Computer was recorded primarily at actress Jane Seymour's mansion in Bath, England, with additional sessions at various studios. Produced by Nigel Godrich and the band, it was a radical departure from the guitar-driven sound of The Bends. The album incorporated electronic textures, orchestral arrangements, and experimental song structures while remaining emotionally devastating.
The first UK pressing was released on Parlophone as a double LP in a gatefold sleeve. The catalog identifier is NODATA 01, a deliberate anti-corporate joke that has become the key to identifying genuine first pressings. The vinyl was mastered and pressed in the UK, and the audio quality of this pressing is widely considered superior to most subsequent reissues.
Vinyl was not particularly popular in 1997. CD was king, and the original LP pressing had a relatively small run. Most fans bought the CD. Those who bought the vinyl and kept it in good condition are now sitting on a collectible that has appreciated significantly.
The album was reissued on vinyl multiple times: a 2008 repress, the 2017 OKNOTOK deluxe edition for the 20th anniversary, and a standard 2016 XL Recordings reissue after Radiohead left EMI. None of these carry the same value as the original Parlophone pressing.
How to Identify It
Catalog number: NODATA 01. This appears on the spine of the gatefold sleeve and on the record labels. This is the single most important identifier.
Matrix/runout information: The dead wax (area between the last groove and the label) contains hand-etched messages:
Side A: "I Like You, You Are A Wonderful Person" and stamped "NODATA 0X2A-1-1-"
Side B: "I'm Full of Enthusiasm I'm Going Places"
Side C: "I'll Be Happy To Help You"
Side D: "I'm An Important Person, Would You Like To Come Home With Me?"
These hand-etched messages are a hallmark of the original pressing. Later represses may have different matrix codes.
Label details: Parlophone label with the classic pound sign logo. The 2016 XL Recordings reissue has a different label entirely.
Sleeve: Original gatefold with artwork by Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke (credited as "The White Chocolate Farm"). The printing quality and paper stock of the original are slightly different from reissues.
Weight: The original pressing is standard weight (roughly 140g). The 2008 and later represses are often 180g.
Value by Condition
VG (Good playing copy): $60 - $100 Surface noise audible on quiet passages. Sleeve has ring wear, edge wear, or seam splits. Still a playable copy of the original pressing, which matters to listeners who prefer the original mastering.
VG+ (Very Good Plus): $100 - $200 Light surface marks that don't affect playback significantly. Sleeve is intact with minor wear. The most common condition for played originals.
NM (Near Mint): $200 - $350 Vinyl has been played carefully or sparingly. No significant surface noise. Sleeve is clean with minimal shelf wear. Inner sleeves present.
M/Sealed: $600 - $800+ Factory sealed or mint unplayed copies command the highest prices. These are increasingly rare as most copies from 1997 have been opened and played at some point.
Known Variations
Original 1997 UK pressing (NODATA 01): The collectible version. Parlophone label, gatefold, hand-etched dead wax messages.
1998 UK repress: Same catalog number but different matrix codes in the dead wax. Sometimes identified by different stamper numbers. Worth about 60-70% of the original pressing.
2008 repress: Parlophone, 180g vinyl. More common, worth $40-$80.
2016 XL Recordings reissue: New label after Radiohead's move from EMI. Standard reissue, worth $25-$40.
2017 OKNOTOK edition: Deluxe 3xLP with bonus tracks. A separate collectible entirely, worth $50-$100.
Authentication and Fakes
Outright counterfeits of this record are not a major problem, but mis-identified represses are common. Sellers frequently list later pressings as "original" or "first pressing" when they are not.
Always check the matrix codes in the dead wax. The hand-etched messages and specific stamper numbers are the definitive way to confirm a first pressing.
Compare label printing: Original Parlophone labels from 1997 have specific printing characteristics. Side-by-side comparison with known originals helps.
Grading services: For vinyl records, services like VinylVault and PSA are less established than in the card world. Most vinyl transactions rely on Goldmine grading standards and detailed photographs.
Where to Sell
Discogs (all conditions): The primary marketplace for vinyl records. Fees are 8% of sale price plus payment processing. Strong buyer pool for Radiohead collectibles.
eBay (all conditions): Wider reach but also more competition. Fees around 13%.
Record stores: Local record shops may buy outright at 40-60% of market value. Quick cash, no hassle.
Expected costs for a NM sale (~$300): Shipping: $8-$15 (Media Mail) or $15-$25 (Priority). Discogs fees: ~$24. Net to seller: roughly $260-$270.
Not sure about the condition of yours? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for a quick AI-powered estimate.
Explore More
Related Items
Have This Item?
Our AI appraisal tool is coming soon. Upload photos, get instant identification and valuation.
Get Appraisal