Vinyl pressings
by Charles Aznavour · 1978
Esquire was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
MAMS 1006 A-1 GM HTM 1Side A runout, stamped variant 1
MAMS 1006 B-1 GR 1Side B runout, stamped variant 1
MAMS 1006 A-1 H 2 ( HTM etched)Side A runout, stamped variant 2
MAMS 1006 B-1 GP 2Side B runout, stamped variant 2
MAMS 1006 B-2Side 1 Runout
MAMS 1006 A MAXICUTSide 2 Runout
MAMA-1006 MAMA-1006ASide 1 Label
MAMA-1006 MAMA-1006BSide 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | MAM MAMA.1006First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | London Records Ps 734First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | MAM EFS-81077First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | South Africa | MAM MAM (L) 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Sweden | MAM 7C 062-60431First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | MAM MAMS 1006 / MAM 0C 062-60 431First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | DRG Records SL 5189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | DRG Records SL 5189LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | Out OUT ST 25036LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | DRG Records L8 DR3LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Esquire are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MAM MAMS 1006.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MAMS 1006, SL 5189, MAMA.1006, Ps 734) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MAMS 1006 A-1 GM HTM 1 and MAMS 1006 B-1 GR 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.
