Vinyl pressings
by John Cougar Mellencamp · 1978
A Biography was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
RVLP-6 .A 1 7 I+ΓM VSide A runout, variant 1
RVLP-6 .B.2 6 VSide B runout, variant 1
RVLP-6-A-1 6 I+ΓM VSide A runout, variant 2
RVLP-6-B-2 5 VSide B runout, variant 2
MX185751A-side label
MX185752B-side label
WEA - 56483-A PFRunout side A
WEA- 56483 - B PFRunout side B
WEA - 56483 - A PFRunout side A
WEA - 56483 - B PFRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Riva WS 3507 / Warner Bros. Records WS 3507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 26.025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 483First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 483LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 483First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 56483 / Warner Bros. Records RVLP 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 56483 / Warner Bros. Records RVLP 6First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Riva P-10780WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10780WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Riva RVLP 6 / Riva RVLP6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of A Biography are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany and more. One of them is Riva RVLP 6.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RVLP 6, WS 3507, 26.025, WB 56 483) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RVLP-6 .A 1 7 I+ΓM V and RVLP-6 .B.2 6 V. 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.
