Vinyl pressings
by Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra · 1958
Mitternachts-Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1958, the album's first year, in 4 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.
2 3 6 4 2 A Made in Germany 23 642³ A A 8 AR(sidewards)Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
2 3 6 4 2 B Made in Germany 23 642³ B III A 8 CE(sidewards)Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
2 3 6 4 2 A △Made in Germany△ 23 6423 A II Z 8 A ARunout side A, stamped, variant 2
2 3 6 4 2 B △Made in Germany△ 23 6423 B III V 8 A ARunout side B, stamped, variant 2
2 3 6 4 2 A △Made in Germany△ 23 642² A A 8 CRunout side A, variant 1
2 3 6 4 2 B △Made in Germany△ 23 642² B A 8 CRunout side B, variant 1
2 3 642º A II Made In Germany A 8 E BRunout side A, variant 2
2 3 642º B II Made In Germany A 8 E RRunout side B, variant 2
45 DGG 23642A 2 1Side A Runout
45 DGG 23642B 3 1Side B Runout
(DGG 23642 A)✤Side A Label
(DGG 23642 B)Side B Label
45 DGG 23642A 2 1A-Side Runout Etching
45 DGG 23642B 2 1B-Side Runout Etching
(DGG 23642 A)✤A-Side Label
(DGG 23642 B)B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Denmark | Polydor NH 23642First year7" | 7" |
| 1958 | Denmark | Polydor NH 23642First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | Germany | Polydor 23 642First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Japan | Polydor DP-1060First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | Japan | Polydor DP-1060 / Polydor DP 1060First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | US | Decca 9-30616First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | US | Decca 9-30616First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1958 | Germany | Polydor 23 642First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Polydor 23 6427", Single, 45 RPM, Mono, Reissue · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono, Reissue · Mono |
| ? | Japan | Polydor DP-10607", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Mitternachts-Blues are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in Germany, US, Denmark, Japan. One of them is Polydor 23 642, released January 1958.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 23 642, 9-30616, NH 23642, DP-1060) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 3 6 4 2 A Made in Germany 23 642³ A A 8 AR(sidewards) and 2 3 6 4 2 B Made in Germany 23 642³ B III A 8 CE(sidewards). 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.
