Vinyl pressings
by Bobby Bare · 1974
Marie Laveau / The Mermaid was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, the album's first year, in 5 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.
APB0 0261A 5 I ɅRunout side A stamped
APB0 0202B 1 I Ʌ2Runout side B stamped
APB0-0261-ALabel side A
APB0-0261-BLabel side B
I B1 APA0 0261C 5A-Side Runout Etching
- I A1 _mk APA0 0261D 1B-Side Runout Etching
APA0-0261-CA-Side Label
APA0-0261-DB-Side Label
APB0-0261 A*Label Side A
APB0-0261 B*Label Side B
APB0 0261A 5 I ɅRunout side A stamped
APB0 0202B 1 I Ʌ2Runout side B stamped
APB0-0261-ALabel side A
APB0-0261-BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | RCA Victor 102483First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | RCA APB0-0261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | RCA Victor APB0-0261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | RCA APBO 0261First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | South Africa | RCA Victor APB0 0261First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | RCA Victor APB0-0261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | RCA DJA0-0261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | RCA Victor APB0-0261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | RCA GB-104967", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | RCA GB-104967", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Marie Laveau / The Mermaid are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and more. One of them is RCA Victor APB0-0261.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APB0-0261, DJA0-0261, 102483, APBO 0261) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APB0 0261A 5 I Ʌ and APB0 0202B 1 I Ʌ2. 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.
