Vinyl pressings
by Fred McDowell · 1964
Mississippi Delta Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1964, the album's first year. 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.
ARHOOLIE F-1021-A 149 [indecipherable initials]A runout etched
ARHOOLIE F-1021-B 150 [indecipherable initials]B runout etched
149A label matrix
150B label matrix
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Netherlands | Fontana 688 806 ZLLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1965 | UK | Fontana 688 806 ZLLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1965 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1965 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1965 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1965 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Reissue, Album | LP, Reissue, Album |
| 2015 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Arhoolie Records AR 19025LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Arhoolie Records AR 19025 / Arhoolie Records 19025LP | LP |
| ? | Japan | Arhoolie Records PA-3052(M) / Trio Records PA-3052(M)LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021 / Arhoolie Records 1021LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F 1021LP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Mississippi Delta Blues are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1964 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US. One of them is Arhoolie Records F 1021, released May 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F 1021) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARHOOLIE F-1021-A 149 [indecipherable initials] and ARHOOLIE F-1021-B 150 [indecipherable initials]. 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.
