Some of the many records wholly dedicated to, and featuring, the lad himself. Unfortunately most, if not all, have now been discontinued. You can still find them about, second-hand, if you look hard enough. So keep those minces peeled!

First published Spring 1960: Pye-Nixa PLP 1039
This is Hancock collection - There were three (UK) releases wholly dedicated to the two Half Hours featured on these long players (more if you include, as I have, those sold outside the UK - within the commonwealth). The first; PYE NIXA PLP 1039, is not shown, as I'm still in the process of trying to track down a copy. Indeed, it's proving to be a very illusive LP. So much so, I've almost convinced myself it doesn't exist! These Nixa's are rare - so rare in fact that I think they've now become extinct, before anyone even ever saw one! I've certainly never seen one - not even a picture! Have you? All the others, which were all subsequent releases, can be seen below. Bet you never knew there were so many...
 
PYE
This is Hancock - Australian pressing
PLP 1039 - Mono
First published 1960

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

Side One

The Wild Man Of The Woods - Hancock's desire to 'get away from it all' leads him to camp in a bus shelter on Clapham Common, and then in a bit of forest rented from Sid.

Side Two

A Sunday Afternoon At Home - 23 Railway Cuttings is a scene of boredom and inactivity as the occupants try to while away a British Sunday.

 

This is Hancock - Australian pressing
ASTOR (Goldengroove SERIES)
First published 1960
PLP 1039 - Mono

Side A

The Wild Man Of The Woods - Hancock's desire to 'get away from it all' leads him to camp in a bus shelter on Clapham Common, and then in a bit of forest rented from Sid.

Side B

A Sunday Afternoon At Home - 23 Railway Cuttings is a scene of boredom and inactivity as the occupants try to while away a British Sunday.

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

ASTOR (Goldengroove SERIES)
This is Hancock - Australian pressing
PLP 1039 - Mono
First published 1960

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

Side One

The Wild Man Of The Woods - Hancock's desire to 'get away from it all' leads him to camp in a bus shelter on Clapham Common, and then in a bit of forest rented from Sid.

Side Two

A Sunday Afternoon At Home - 23 Railway Cuttings is a scene of boredom and inactivity as the occupants try to while away a British Sunday.

 

This is Hancock - UK pressing
PYE (NIXA / PLUM LABEL)
First published 1960
NPL 18045 - Mono

Side A

The Wild Man Of The Woods - Hancock's desire to 'get away from it all' leads him to camp in a bus shelter on Clapham Common, and then in a bit of forest rented from Sid.

Side B

A Sunday Afternoon At Home - 23 Railway Cuttings is a scene of boredom and inactivity as the occupants try to while away a British Sunday.

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

PYE (PLUM LABEL)
This is Hancock - UK pressing
NPL 18045 - Mono
First published 1960

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

Side A

The Wild Man Of The Woods - Hancock's desire to 'get away from it all' leads him to camp in a bus shelter on Clapham Common, and then in a bit of forest rented from Sid.

Side B

A Sunday Afternoon At Home - 23 Railway Cuttings is a scene of boredom and inactivity as the occupants try to while away a British Sunday.

 

This is Hancock - UK pressing
PYE (PLUM LABEL*)
First published 1960
NPL 18045 - Mono

Side A

The Wild Man Of The Woods - Hancock's desire to 'get away from it all' leads him to camp in a bus shelter on Clapham Common, and then in a bit of forest rented from Sid.

Side B

A Sunday Afternoon At Home - 23 Railway Cuttings is a scene of boredom and inactivity as the occupants try to while away a British Sunday.

* Unusual one this. The back of the sleeve (top left) clearly states this LP as being on the PYE PLUM LABEL. However, as can be seen, the label is clearly not the classic Pye plum style or colour - very odd! The sleeve is identical, bar a subtle change in colour, as of that, immediately above. As far as I know this is the correct sleeve for this LP. The serial number on the label is: NPL 18045 - with the PL denoting the PLUM. All would most probably be revealed if I looked into Pye's history... Maybe you know the answer ?

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

PYE (GOLDEN GUINEA)
This is Hancock - UK pressing
GGL 0206 - Mono
First published 1960

For the sleeve notes, on the back cover of this LP - penned by Galton & Simpson, in their imitable style, click here

Side 1

The Wild Man Of The Woods - Hancock's desire to 'get away from it all' leads him to camp in a bus shelter on Clapham Common, and then in a bit of forest rented from Sid.

Side 2

A Sunday Afternoon At Home - 23 Railway Cuttings is a scene of boredom and inactivity as the occupants try to while away a British Sunday.

 

Sleeve notes for This is Hancock - (PLP 1039, NPL 18045 & GGL 0206 - in fact, all of the above)

This record consists of two editions of the radio version of 'Hancock's Half Hour', or if played at 78 rpm, 'Hancock's Quarter of an Hour'. The record consists of two grooves, one on each side, closely wound by experts so as to cover the whole area up as far as the edge, plus two labels with a small interconnecting hole. There's value for money. It is a twelve inch disc in black plastic and in order to hear it to its best advantage, it is recommended the needle be placed on the extreme edge of the record and let it work its way gradually inwards. Except in China, of course, where the needle should start in the middle and work its way out.
     This is Hancock introduces on record a comedian whose radio and television shows have earned him the love and respect and money of millions of people. Mr. Hancock's performance has been described by some critics as the epitomisation of the struggles, frustrations and disillusionments of a romantic in a materialistic society. It has been described by other critics as the epitomisation of the struggles, frustrations and disillusionments of a materialist in a romantic society. Mr. Sidney James, on the other hand, describes him as 'a bit of a twit' which is as good a definition as any. A brief description of Mr. Hancock's habits, and surroundings, may be of some help to the listener in understanding the man under the homburg hat and astrakhan coat. His residence is situated in the Borough of East Cheam, pop. 73,684 (1931). Rates in the pound, three and nine. Alt. 2 feet above swamp level, three hundred feet below smog level. Subsoil, clay with vast deposits of builders' rubble. Schools, none. Churches, one. Pubs, two hundred and sixty seven. Main industries, taking in washing, street betting, and hanging about on street corners. Hancock Towers, 23 Railway Cuttings, is a masterpiece of Victorian bad taste, which is also a good description of its owner. The house appears to be in some need of repair, which is also a good description of its owner. Mr. Hancock is noted in the district as a man who continually lives above his income, which he has to do in order not to starve. His closest friends and associates are the aforementioned Mr. Sidney James, and Mr. William Kerr. Mr. James is a man of no fixed abode except for significant periods of six months and fourteen days, depending on the condition of the internal digestive organs of the local magistrate. When cornered, he will describe his occupation as a scrap metal merchant, which profession has necessitated three new roofs being put on the local church in the last four years. Mr. Kerr is an Australian of mixed drinks. His sole claim to fame is the title Red Plonk Champion of New South Wales, 1946. A notable victory, the effects of which he is still suffering from fourteen years later. In the programme Miss Hattie Jacques plays Mr. Hancock's personal secretary, and Mr. Kenneth Williams plays everybody else. These last two worthies bring a touch of class to what would otherwise be a rather sordid collation. This then is the world of Tony Hancock. Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

ALAN SIMPSON & RAY GALTON

Railway Cuttings is the first Web site to contain this information, in detail and with pictures. The most comprehensive collection of Hancock related records anywhere on the Web, so far!
The colours of the sleeves really do change their shade as they appear above. Whether it's deliberate, as some indeed are - like the obvious differences between the UK and Australian releases - the subtle changes in colour of the UK releases could well be a different story. It could just be down to a quirk in the printing process (different batches printed at different times), I really can't say for sure. What I can say however is that I've hurt my eyes staring so hard (where have I heard that before), trying to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks with me. I'm happy, hopefully, that I've got it right. If they're not exact, then they're very close... The main fact is, they are differant!

This long player should be easy to find. Indeed you may trip over one. So mind your step!
This long player can be found, but you may have to look harder, it won't just fall into your lap!

This long player is very difficult to find. If you do find a copy relatively easily, then you were lucky!

 

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