Vinyl pressings
by 10cc · 1975
Art For Arts Sake was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 15 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
6008017-1F MELYS ART! 1F//1 IB 11 1 6Side A etched/stamped variant 1
6008017-2F MELY GETS! 2F//X1 IB 11 6Side B etched/stamped variant 1
6008017-1F MELYS ART! 6̶0̶0̶8̶0̶1̶8̶ 1F//2 IB 14 4Side A etched/stamped variant 2
6008017-2F MELY GETS! 6̶0̶0̶8̶0̶1̶8̶ 2F//2 IB 11 7Side B etched/stamped variant 2
6008017-1F MELYS ART! 6̶0̶0̶8̶0̶1̶8̶ 1F // 2 IB 14 4Side A runout
6008017-2F 6̶0̶0̶8̶0̶1̶8̶ 2F // 2 IB 1 1 MELY GETS! 7Side B runout
2-52213Label A
2-52214Label B
T 2-52213-A-2 MELYS IBCRunout A
2-52213-B-2 MELYS IBC TIIRunout B
2-52213Label A
2-52214Label B
2-52213Label A
2-52214Label B
2 - 52213Etched in both runouts. "3" heavily etched over an apparently mistaken "4".
MELYSEtched on both sides.
2-52213As stamped on label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Mercury 6008 018First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Austria | Mercury 6008 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Philips 6008.018First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Philips 6008.017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | France | Mercury 6008 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | Mercury 6008 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Ireland | Mercury 6008 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Ireland | Mercury 6008 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Japan | Mercury SFL-2065First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | Mercury SFL-2065First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Portugal | Mercury 6008 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Scandinavia | Mercury 6008 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Sweden | Mercury 6008 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Mercury 73725First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | US | Mercury DJ-441First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Mercury 6008 0177", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Art For Arts Sake are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Belgium, Netherlands and more. One of them is Mercury 6008 017, released November 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6008 017, 73725, DJ-441, DJ-444) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6008017-1F MELYS ART! 1F//1 IB 11 1 6 and 6008017-2F MELY GETS! 2F//X1 IB 11 6. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
