Vinyl pressings
by Carol Lynn Townes · 1984
99½ was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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.
881009-1-84NP6704 M̶L̶N̶Y̶ HRM ᐉ A 3 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :^)Side A runout
881009-1-84NP6705 HRM ᐉ A- 3 HERbiE JR :^)Side B runout
84 NP 6704Side A Label
84 NP 6705Side B Label
881-008-7-84NP6697-BW MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERBIR Jr :v)A-Side Runout Etching
881-008-7-84NP6705-BWB-Side Runout Etching
84 NP 6697A-Side Label
84 NP 6705B-Side Label
881 009-1-A DBSide A runout etched
881-009-1-B DBSide B runout etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Polydor 881 009-1First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Canada | Polydor PDSX 2258First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 881 009-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Polydor 881 009-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | Polydor SV 0093First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 881 009-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 881 008-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 881 009-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 881 009-1 DJFirst year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 881 008-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Polydor 881 008-7First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of 99½ are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Polydor 881 009-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 881 009-1, 881 008-7, 881 009-1 DJ, 881 008-7 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 881009-1-84NP6704 M̶L̶N̶Y̶ HRM ᐉ A 3 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :^) and 881009-1-84NP6705 HRM ᐉ A- 3 HERbiE JR :^). 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.
