Vinyl pressings
by Cannonball Adderley · 1966
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy / Games 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.
5 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 2 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.
45-56778-P1 #3A side runout, variant 1
45-56779-T2 [I A M in triangle]B side runout, variant 1
45-56778-T2 [I A M in triangle]A side runout, variant 2
45-56779-T2 #2 [I A M in triangle]B side runout, variant 2
45-66778-F-1A side runout, etched
45-66779-F-2B side runout, etched
45-66778A-side label
45-66779B-side label
45-56778-F-1A side etched runout
45-56779-F-1B side etched runout
45-56778A-side label
45-56779B-side label
45-56778A-side label
45-56779B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Canada | Capitol Records 5798First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | US | Capitol Records 5798First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | US | Capitol Records 5798First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | US | Capitol Records 5798First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | US | Capitol Records 5798First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Germany | Capitol Records K 234517", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | UK | Capitol Records CL 154897", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1967 | UK | Capitol Records CL 154897", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | UK | Capitol Records CL 154897", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Germany | Capitol Records K 23 4517", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records F 57987", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Mercy, Mercy, Mercy / Games are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1966 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, Canada. One of them is Capitol Records 5798.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5798) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-56778-P1 #3 and 45-56779-T2 [I A M in triangle]. 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.
