Vinyl pressings
by Genesis · 1983
Mama was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 14 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.
MAMA 1 A-2U-1-J--O TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variation 1
MAMA 1 B-1U-1-1--22 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variation 1
MAMA 1 A - 1U - 1 - 3 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variation 2
MAMA 1 B - 1U - 1 - 1 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variation 2
MAMA 112 A-2U-1-2 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 1
MAMA 112 B-2U-1-1 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variant 1
MAMA 112 A-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 2
MAMA 112 B-2U-1-1 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variant 2
MAMA 1 A-1U-1-1-1 TOWN HOUSERunout Side A, variant 1
MAMA 1 B-1U-1-1-2 TOWN HOUSERunout Side B, variant 1
MAMA 1 A-2U-1-1-- X1 TOWN HOUSERunout side A, variant 2
MAMA 1 B-2 U-1-1-- 1X TOWN HOUSERunout side B, variant 2
MAMA 1 A-2U-1-4 AGI 2 TOWN HOUSEStamped/etched runout, side A
MAMA 1 B-2 U-1- 2 - AGI TOWN HOUSEStamped/etched runout, side B
MAMA 112 A-2U-1-2 TOWN HOUSESide A runout
MAMA 112 B-2U-1-1 TOWN HOUSESide B runout
MAMA 112 A-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout Variation 2
MAMA 112 B-2U-1-1 TOWN HOUSESide B runout Variation 2 (Same as variation 1)
MAMA 1 A-2U-1-4 TOWN HOUSESide B runout stamped, TOWN HOUSE etched
MAMA 1 B-2U-1-(undetermined) TOWN HOUSESide A runout stamped, TOWN HOUSE 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Vertigo 814 219-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78 69830First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78 97707First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78 97707First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 814 219-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 814 219-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 814 219-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 814 219-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Vertigo 814 219-7 / Vertigo MAMA 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Vertigo 814 219-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Virgin MAMA 1 / Charisma MAMA 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Virgin MAMA 1 / Charisma MAMA 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Virgin MAMA 1 / Charisma MAMA 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Vertigo 814 219-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Vertigo 814 219-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Europe | Vertigo 866 599-112", Maxi-Single, Reissue | 12", Maxi-Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Virgin 0602537540761 / Charisma MAMA 1-1212", Single, Reissue, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, Reissue, 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
42 vinyl pressings of Mama are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1983 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin MAMA 1, released August 22, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MAMA 1, MAMA 1-12, DJMAMA 1, 7-89770) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MAMA 1 A-2U-1-J--O TOWN HOUSE and MAMA 1 B-1U-1-1--22 TOWN HOUSE. 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.
