Vinyl pressings
by Donnie Brooks · 1960
Mission Bell was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1960, the album's first year, in 5 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.
BSN-48 △34847A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
45-BSN-27 △34850B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
DMA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
JF 45-BSN-27 △34850 DMB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
BSN-48 △34847Side A
45-BSN-27 △34850Side B
BSN-48A-side label
BSN-27B-side label
(BSN-48)A-side label
(BSN-27 )B-side label
48Side A
45-BSN-27 △34850Side B
BSN-48A-side label
BSN-27B-side label
BSN-48 △34847A-Side Runout Etching
45-BSN-27 △34850 JFB-Side Runout Etching
BSN-48A-side label
BSN-27B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Australia | London Records 45-HL-1688First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | New Zealand | London Records NZL.550 / London American Recordings NZL.550First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HLN 9168First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Era Records 3018First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | US | Era Records 3018First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | US | Era Records 3018First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | US | Era Records 3018First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Canada | London Records 45-M. 17105First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | US | Era Records 3018First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | US | Era Records 3018First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of Mission Bell are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Era Records 3018, released May 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3018, 45-HLN 9168, 45-M. 17105, 45-HL-1688) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSN-48 △34847 and 45-BSN-27 △34850. 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.
