Vinyl pressings
by Dorothy Moore · 1977
I Believe You was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 10 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.
(Ƨ) M-1042-A 5-4-77 -L.NIX- SHELLY 49499A side runout, variant 1
M-1042-B 5-4-77 -L.NIX- 49495B side runout, variant 1
(Ƨ) M-1042-A 5-4-77 -L.NIX- SHELLY 50002A side runout, variant 2
M-1042-B 5-4-77 -L.NIX- 49494B side runout, variant 2
M-1042-A -L.NIX- T.K.Side A runout:
M-1042-B -L.NIX-Side B runout:
1042-ASide A label:
1042-BSide B label:
M-1042-A ∆102327 -L.NIX- MONSide A Runout
M-1042-B ∆102327-X -L.NIX-Side B Runout
Mal-1042-ASide A Label
Mal-1042-BSide B Label
M-1042-A -L.NIX- VPSSide A Runout
M-1042-B -L.NIX-Side B Runout
1042-ASide A Label
1042-BSide B Label
M-1042-A-1 1-1 -L.NIX- PRCSide A
M-1042-B-1 1-1 -L.NIX- PRCSide B
Mal-1042-ALabel side A
Mal-1042-BLabel side B
49483 Ƨ M-1042-A 5-4-77 -L.NIX- SHELLYA-Side Runout Etching
49499 Ƨ M-1042-A 5-4-77 -L.NIX- SHELLYB-Side Runout Etching
Mal-1042-ALabels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | RCA Victor 102988First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Brazil | RCA 101.8077First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Malaco Records XB-01027First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Jamaica | RCA Victor 1042First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA SS-3102First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA SS-3102First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | RCA Victor SP-4811First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Philippines | RCA Victor XB-01027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Spain | RCA Victor XB - 1027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Epic S EPC 5573First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Epic EPC 5573First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Malaco Records 1042First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | Malaco Records 1042First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Malaco Records M 1042First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Malaco Records 1042First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
20 vinyl pressings of I Believe You are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Malaco Records 1042.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1042, M 1042, S EPC 5573, EPC 5573) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (Ƨ) M-1042-A 5-4-77 -L.NIX- SHELLY 49499 and M-1042-B 5-4-77 -L.NIX- 49495. 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.
