Vinyl pressings
by Ella Fitzgerald · 1973
Memories was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 3 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.
MCA-126-W3 ⧇-G-⧇Runout side A, variant 1
MCA-127-W1 ⧇-G-⧇Runout side B, variant 1
MCA-126-W3- ⧇-G-⧇Runout side A, variant 2
MCA 127-W1- 2 ⧇-G-⧇Runout side B, variant 2
MCA-126-W2 ◈-P-◈A etched, ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA-127-W2 ◈-P-◈B etched, ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA126A label
MCA127B label
MCA-126-W2 ◈-P-◈A etched, ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA-127-W2 ◈-P-◈B etched, ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA-734 (MCA126)A label
MCA-734 (MCA127)B label
MCA 126-W3. ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout
MCA 127-W1. ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout
MCA126Side A label
MCA127Side B label
MCA-126-W3- CB 20024A -K- ⧈-G-⧈Side A Runout, Etched
MCA 127-W1- CB 20024B -K- ⧈-G-⧈Side B Runout, Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Coral CB-20024First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Coral CB-20024First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Coral COPS 6839First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | MCA Coral CB-20024 / Coral CB-20024First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | MCA Coral CB-20024First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | MCA Coral CB-20024First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Japan | MCA Coral MCL-1050LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1976 | Italy | Record Bazaar RB 55LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Coral COPS 6839LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-734LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | New Zealand | MCA Coral COPS 6839LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-734LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
12 vinyl pressings of Memories are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada, Germany. One of them is MCA Coral CB-20024.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CB-20024, COPS 6839) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-126-W3 ⧇-G-⧇ and MCA-127-W1 ⧇-G-⧇. 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.
