Vinyl pressings
by Donna Hightower · 1972
This World Today Is A Mess was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
850 QR 1738M=1J COLRunout side A, stamped
850 QR 1739M=1J COLRunout side B, stamped
QR 1738 MLabel side A, printed upside-down
QR 1739 MLabel side B, printed upside-down
850 QR 1738 M=1J COLRunout A
850 QR 1739 M=1J COLRunout B
QR 1.738 Mlabel A
QR 1.739 Mlabel B
QR 1738 M/1 λвRunout side A, variant 1
QR 1739 M/3Runout side B, variant 1
QR 1738 M/5Runout side A, variant 2
QR 1739 M/6Runout side B, variant 2
QR 1738 M/ I ʌ
QR 1739 M/ I ʌ
QR 1738 M/I ˄Runout Side A
QR 1739 M/I ˄ᴮRunout Side B
QR 1738 M/3 λвRunout side A variant 1
QR 1739 M/7Runout side B variant 1
QR 1738 M/6ΛRunout side A variant 2
QR 1739 M ΛBCRunout side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Belgium | Decca 105/26.325 YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Belgium | Decca 105/26.325 YFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Belgium | Pink Elephant PE 22.672-YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Belgium | Decca 105/26.325 Y / Decca 105-26.325 YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Belgium | Decca 79.659 / Decca 1 25-79.659YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Belgium | Decca 105/26.325 Y / Decca 105-26.325YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Belgium | Decca 84.115First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Belgium | Decca 105/26.325 Y / Decca 105-26.325YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Finland | Decca FR 13387First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Finland | Decca FR 13387First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Decca 84.115 / Decca MO 1218First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | France | Decca 85.006 / Decca MO 1218First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Decca 125/79.659YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Decca 85.006 / Decca MO 1218First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Decca 84.115 / Decca MO 1218First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Ecuador | Fadisa Fabrica De Discos S.A. 1101727", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Ecuador | Fadisa Fabrica De Discos S.A. 1101727", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Ecuador | Fadisa Fabrica De Discos S.A. 1101727", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Germany | Metronome 0030.0557", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
42 vinyl pressings of This World Today Is A Mess are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Spain, Belgium, Finland, France and more. One of them is Columbia MO 1218.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MO 1218, 105/26.325 Y, PE 22.672-Y, 79.659) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 850 QR 1738M=1J COL and 850 QR 1739M=1J COL. 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.
