Vinyl pressings
by David Essex · 1978
Oh What A Circus 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.
22 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 11 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.
6007185 1F // 1 P 1 4 4 toneRunout A-side stamped, tone etched, variant 1
6007185 2F // 1 P 1 4 6Runout B-side stamped, variant 1
6007185 1F // 1 P 1 1 5 toneRunout A-side stamped, tone etched, variant 2
6007185 2F // 1 P 1 2 10Runout B-side stamped, variant 2
MEA 6007 185 A CIDISRunout, stamped, side A
MEA 6007 185 B CIDISRunout, stamped, side B
MEA 6 007 185 ASide A
MEA 6 007185 BSide B
6007 185 A2Run-out side A, stamped variant 1
6007 185 B2Run-out side B, stamped variant 1
6007 185 A2 △T ToneRun-out side A, etched variant 2
6007-185 B2 △TRun-out side B, etched variant 2
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 | France | Mercury 6007 185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | France | Mercury 6007 185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | Mercury 6007 185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Ireland | Mercury 6007 185First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Mercury 6007 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Mercury 6007 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Portugal | Mercury 6007 185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | Mercury 6007 185First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | South Africa | Mercury TOS 1187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Mercury 60 07 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Mercury 6007 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Mercury 6007 185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Mercury 6007 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Mercury 6007 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Mercury 6007 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Mercury 6007 1857", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
24 vinyl pressings of Oh What A Circus are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Mercury 6007 185.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6007 185, RS 1006, 6173 601, TOS 1187) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6007185 1F // 1 P 1 4 4 tone and 6007185 2F // 1 P 1 4 6. 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.
