Vinyl pressings
by Carly Simon · 1974
Mockingbird 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.
29 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 18 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.
EK-45880-A //HM 21.737-1-Y. 3 1 1Side A runout etched, last '3' in mirror
EK-45880-B //HM 21.738-1-Y. 2 1 1Side B runout etched, last '2' in mirror
EK-45880-ASide A label
EK-45880-BSide B label
EK-45880-ASide A
EK-45880-BSide B
EKS 45880 A-4 CTH TIIIRunout A, variant 1
EKS 45880 B3 CTH TML TIIIIRunout B, variant 1
K 12134 A-1Runout, A-side, stamped
K 12134 B-1Runout, B-side, stamped
EKS 45880 A SPA-Side Runout, Variation #1
EKS 45880 B SPB-Side Runout, Variation #1
EKS 45880 A SP 1-2A-Side Runout, Variation #2
EKS 45880 B1 - SP 1-1B-Side Runout, Variation #2
EK-45880-ASide A
EK-45880-BSide B
EKS 45880 A-2 PLP P PRunout A
EKS 45880 B 2 PLP P PRunout B
EKS-45880 A-5 CSM SRunout A, etched
EKS 45880 B6CSM TML SRunout B, etched exc. TML stamp
EK-45880-ALabel A
EK-45880-BLabel 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 | Argentina | Elektra ELK 12134 / Elektra ELK 12.134First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Elektra EKM-45880First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Barbados | Warner Bros. Records EK-45880First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Brazil | Elektra ELCS 15.026First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Elektra E 45880First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | Elektra 12 134 / elektra 12134First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | France | Elektra 12 134 / Elektra 12134First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 134First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 134First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Ireland | Elektra K 12134First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Italy | Elektra K 12134First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 12134 / Elektra ELK 12.134First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Elektra EKM.45880First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | South Africa | Elektra EKS 633First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Spain | Elektra 45-1037 / Hispavox 45-1037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | Elektra N-S-57-307", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Mockingbird are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in Netherlands, US, UK, Japan and more. One of them is Elektra ELK 12134.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ELK 12134, EK-45880, K 12134, EK-45880-A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EK-45880-A //HM 21.737-1-Y. 3 1 1 and EK-45880-B //HM 21.738-1-Y. 2 1 1. 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.
