Vinyl pressings
by Bud Shank · 1966
Michelle was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 10 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.
WPS-21840-A~1 A1 RSide A runout
WPS-21840-B~1 A1 RSide B runout
WPS 21840 ASide A label
WPS 21840 BSide B label
WP-1840-A~1 A RSide A runout area; etched, except "R" stamped
WP-1840-2-2 RSide B runout area; etched, except "R" stamped
WP-1840-A~1 A RSide A runout, variant 1
WP-1840-2-2 B RSide A runout, variant 1
WP-1840-A~1 A1 RSide A runout, variant 2
WP-1840-B~1 A1 RSide B runout, variant 2
WP-1840-SIDE 1 - I A1A Side Etch, except "I" Stamp
WP-1840-SIDE 2 - I A1B Side Etch, except "I" Stamp
WP-1840-SIDE 1 - I A1A Side Etch, except "I" Stamp
WP-1840-SIDE 2 - I A1B Side Etch, except "I" Stamp
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Argentina | World Pacific Records WPS-21840 / Trova WPS-21840First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Australia | Festival Records FL-31,925First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | World Pacific Records WP 1840First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | World Pacific Records WPS-21840First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | France | Fontana 888.020 TYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Japan | World-Pacific Records SJET-7811First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | Mexico | Liberty WP 1840 / Musart WP 1840First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Fontana 888 020 / Fontana 888 020 TYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Fontana 688 020 TLFirst yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Fontana 888 020 / Fontana 888 020 TYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | South Africa | World Pacific Records WPL 1001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1966 | UK | Fontana 688 020 / Fontana TL5326First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | World Pacific Records WPS-21840 / World Pacific Records WPS 21840First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | World Pacific Records WPS-21840 / World Pacific Records ST-90619LP, Album, Stereo, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Stereo, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1966 | US | World Pacific Records WP 1840First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Sunset Records SLS-96,025 / Sunset Records SLS-96025LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Sunset Records SLS-96,025LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of Michelle are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1966 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is World Pacific Records WPS-21840.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WPS-21840, WP 1840, 688 020, FL-31,925) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WPS-21840-A~1 A1 R and WPS-21840-B~1 A1 R. 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.
