Vinyl pressings
by Jerry Butler · 1968
Hey, Western Union Man 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.
15 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.
MR 42618 1Runout side A, stamped except [etched]
MR 42623 35Runout side B, stamped except [etched]
42618 4 [MR]Runout side A, stamped except [etched], variant 2
42623 3 [MR]Runout side B, stamped except [etched], variant 2
42618 1 MRRunout, Side A, Stamped
42623 4 6Runout, Side B, Stamped
1-42618Label Side A
1-42623Label Side B
42618 1 [MR]Runout side A, stamped except [etched], variant 2
42623 3 [MR]Runout side B, stamped except [etched], variant 2
1-42618Label Side A
1-42623Label Side B
1-42618Label Side A
1-42623Label 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 | Canada | Mercury M. 72850First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Mercury 72850First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Japan | Mercury SM-1059First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Mercury MCF 127393First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Mercury 72850First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Norway | Mercury 127 393 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | South Africa | Mercury MRC 1115First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | UK | Mercury MF 1058First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | UK | Mercury MF 1058First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | UK | Mercury MF 1058First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Mercury 72850First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Mercury DJ-103First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Mercury 72850First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Mercury 72850First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Mercury 72850First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
16 vinyl pressings of Hey, Western Union Man are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Mercury 72850.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 72850, DJ-103, MF 1058, M. 72850) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MR 42618 1 and MR 42623 35. 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.
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