Vinyl pressings
by Donovan · 1966
Mellow Yellow was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 13 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.
ZSP116075-1B SSSSSSStamped side A - variant 1
ZSP116076-1B SSSSStamped side B - variant 1
JZSP116075-1G SSSSSSStamped side A - variant 2
JZSP116076-1C SSSSStamped side B - variant 2
JZSP116075-1G PA side runout stamped (variant 1)
JZSP116076-1H PB side runout stamped (variant 1)
JZSP116075-1H P 2A side runout stamped (variant 2)
JZSP116076-1G P 2B side runout stamped (variant 2)
ZSP116075-1ESide A runout, variant 1
ZSP116076-1ESide B runout, variant 1
ZSP116075-1A TIIISide A runout, variant 2
ZSP116076-1A TIIISide B runout, variant 2
ZSP116075-1A TIIIIIIISide A runout
ZSP116076-1E TIIIIISide B runout
ZSP 116075Side A label
ZSP 116076Side B label
JZSP116075-1CSide A, Stamped
JZSP116076-1CSide B, Stamped
ZSP116075-1BSide A, Stamped
ZSP116076-1BSide B, Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Australia | Epic ES-037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | France | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | France | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | Greece | Epic 5-9909First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Italy | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | Italy | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Italy | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | Japan | Epic LL-1008-EFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Epic 5-10098First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | New Zealand | Epic 5-9805First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Norway | Epic 5-10098First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Italy | Quei Favolosi Anni '60 - Peace & Love7", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1999 | Italy | Quei Favolosi Anni '60 - Peace & Love / Epic7", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1999 | Italy | Quei Favolosi Anni '60 - Peace & Love7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | CBS 21.6757", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | Argentina | CBS 21.6757", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Chile | Epic S-5007", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Denmark | Epic 5-10098 / Epic 5-10098-S7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Japan | Epic LL-10087", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| ? | US | Epic 5-100987", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
45 vinyl pressings of Mellow Yellow are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1966 and 1999.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Epic 5-10098.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5-10098, ES-037, 5-9909, LL-1008-E) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP116075-1B SSSSSS and ZSP116076-1B SSSS. 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.
