Vinyl pressings
by John Cougar Mellencamp · 1985
Small Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 10 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.
884-202-7-2-58461-PRC--RA-2-1-1-2 MASTERDISKVariant 1, Side A runout
884-202-7-2-58515-PRC--R-B-2-1-2 MASTERDISKVariant 1, Side B runout
884-202-7-2-58461-PRC-RA-2-1-1-3 MASTERDISK 5-282-12Variant 2, Side A runout
884-202-7-2-58515-PRC-R-B-2-1-2-5 MASTERDISK 5-282-22Variant 2, Side B runout
884-202-7-2-58461-BW1 MASTERDISKSide A
884-202-7-2-58515-BW MASTERDISKSide B
2-58461Label side A
2-58515Label side B
884-202-7-2-58461-ES MASTERDISK ƐMWRunout, side A
884-202-7-2-58515-ES MASTERDISK ƐMWRunout, side B
2-58461Label, side A
2-58515Label, side B
884-202-7-2-58461-ES MASTERDISKSide A
884-202-7-2-58515-ES MASTERDISKSide B
2-58461Label side A
2-58515Label side B
PRO-384-1-2-58461-ES MASTERDISK EmwA Side Etched Masterdisk Stamped
PRO-384-1-2-58515-ES MASTERDISK EmwB Side Etched Masterdisk Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australasia | Mercury 884 202-7 / Riva 884 202-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australasia | Mercury 884 202-7 / Riva 884 202-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Mercury 884 202-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Riva RS 218First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 884 202-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 884 202-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 884 202-7 Q / Riva 884 202-7 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 884 202-1 QFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 884 202-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 884 202-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Portugal | Riva 884 202-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Riva JCMX 5First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Riva JCMDP 5 / Phonogram JCMDP 5First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Riva JCM 5 / Phonogram JCM 5First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Riva JCMXD 5First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
26 vinyl pressings of Small Town are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Riva 884 202-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 884 202-7, 884 202-1, PRO 384-1, 884 202-7 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 884-202-7-2-58461-PRC--RA-2-1-1-2 MASTERDISK and 884-202-7-2-58515-PRC--R-B-2-1-2 MASTERDISK. 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.
