Vinyl pressings
by Eternity's Children · 1968
Mrs. Bluebird was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 8 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.
45-61980-T4 IAM in triangleRunout A etched [IAM in triangle stamped]
45-61983 P1 IAM in triangleRunout B etched [IAM in triangle stamped]
45-61980Label A
45-61983Label B
45-61980-T4 IAMA-Side Runout Etching
45-61983 P1 IAMB-Side Runout Etching
45-61980Label, Side A
45-61983Label, Side B
61980 RE T-416 X-6047A-Side Runout Etching
61980 RE T-416 X-5999B-Side Runout Etching
61980 T-416 X-5998A-Side Runout Etching
61983 T-416 X-5999B-Side Runout Etching
45-RE-61980A-Side Label
45-RE-61983B-Side Label
45-RE-61980Label A
45-RE-61983Label B
F 61980 45Label, Side A
F 61983 45Label, Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Stateside OSS-8495First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Canada | Capitol Records 72544First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | France | Capitol Records CLF 513First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Stateside HSS 1304First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Capitol Records F.416First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | South Africa | Capitol Records JCL 367First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15558First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tower 416First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Tower 416First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Tower 416First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Tower 416First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1968 | US | Tower 416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15558First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Mrs. Bluebird are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Tower 416.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 416, CL 15558, OSS-8495, 72544) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-61980-T4 IAM in triangle and 45-61983 P1 IAM in triangle. 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.
