Vinyl pressings
by Culture Club · 1984
Mistake No. 3 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.
7 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ZSS-173112-1D G1 [STERLING]Runout, side A, etched, except [stamped]
ZSS-1731113-1A [STERLING] P -GRunout, side B, etched, except [stamped]
ZSS 173112Label side A
ZSS 173113Label side B
ZSS-173112-1B [STERLING] PSide A Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS-173113-1E [STERLING] PSide B Runout, etched [stamped]
ZSS 173112Side A Label
ZSS 173113Side B Label
P ZSS-173112-1A ☆ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRunouts
ZSS 173112Labels
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 | Canada | Virgin VS1249 / Virgin VS 1249First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VS1249 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Israel | Epic 34-04727 / Virgin 34-04727First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Philippines | Virgin VS-8031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Virgin 34-04727 / Epic 34-04727First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Epic 34-04727First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1984 | US | Epic 34-04727First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VSP 0027", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Ecuador | Virgin 123-1065 / Virgin V-23307", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Ecuador | Virgin 123-1065 / Virgin V-23307", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | El Salvador | Virgin VI-0137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Peru | Virgin 01.44.7001187", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Peru | Virgin 01.44.7000118 / Virgin V 23307", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | South Africa | Virgin VS 6127", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VSP 0027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Mistake No. 3 are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Canada, Philippines, Israel. One of them is Epic 34-04727, released December 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 34-04727, VS1249, VS-8031, VS1249 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-173112-1D G1 [STERLING] and ZSS-1731113-1A [STERLING] P -G. 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.
