Vinyl pressings
by Gene Pitney · 1963
Mecca / Teardrop By Teardrop was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 9 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.
Bell Sound ZSTP 66055-1E TIA runout, etched, except Bell Sound, stamped
Bell Sound ZSTP 66056-1E TIIB runout, etched, except Bell Sound, stamped
ZTSP 66055-1B Bell SoundA-Side Runout, Variant 1
ZTSP 66056-1C Bell SoundB-Side Runout, Variant 1
ZTSP-66055-1A Bell SoundA-Side Runout, Variant 2
ZTSP-66056-1B Bell SoundB-Side Runout, Variant 2
45 UP-1021A-1NA Side Matrix
45 UP-1021B-1NB Side Matrix
45UP-1021 ALabel Side A
45UP-1021 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Canada | United Artists Records UA 1028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Greece | United Artists Records UAg 3027First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1963 | Greece | United Artists Records 67 001First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1963 | Hong Kong | United Artists Records MU1028 / United Artists Records UA 47First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Italy | United Artists Records UA 3049First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | New Zealand | United Artists Records MU-1028First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1963 | UK | United Artists Records UP-1021First year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | United Artists Records UP 1021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1963 | US | Musicor Records MU 1028First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Musicor Records MU 1028First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | Musicor Records MU 1028First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | Musicor Records MU 1028First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Musicor Records MU 1028First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1963 | Germany | United Artists Records 67048First year7", Mono · Mono | 7", Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Japan | United Artists Records UA-47First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | United Artists Records, Inc. UA-10397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Mecca / Teardrop By Teardrop are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Musicor Records MU 1028.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MU 1028, UP-1021, UP 1021, 67048) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Bell Sound ZSTP 66055-1E TI and Bell Sound ZSTP 66056-1E TII. 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.
