Vinyl pressings
by John "Jellybean" Benitez · 1984
The Mexican was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 11 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.
V-1-7831-Z-6 HERbiE JR :<) JELLYbEAN · -------◁Etched A side
V-2-7831 - Z3 HERbiE JR :<) · -------◁Etched B side
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKStamped A & B sides
V-7831-1Label A side
V-1-7831-21 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERBIE JR :-) "JELLYBEAN"A
V-2-7831-21 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERBIE JR :-)B
STERLING B8240-S-45501727-A-z-8Etched side A
STERLING B8240-S-45501728-z-1Etched side B
501727Label side A
501728Label side B
V-1-7831-Z1 #2 HERbiE JR :<) "Jellybean" 0Etched A side
V-2-7831 - Z-1 #2 HERbiE JR :<) 0Etched B side
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKStamped A & B sides
V-7831-1Label A side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | EMI America BUG.240208First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records V-75069 / Capitol Records V 75069First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America B-8240First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | EMI America 1549326 / Pathé Marconi EMI 1549326First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Greece | EMI 052-2003656 / EMI America 8240First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Guatemala | EMI America EP-29037First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Japan | EMI America EYS-17491First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Mexico | EMI America POP-658First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | EMI America 1A K062 20 0270 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | EMI America 1A 006-20 0365 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Philippines | EMI America EMA-181-043First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI America 052-2002706First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI America 006 20 0365 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | EMI America V-7831First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | EMI America P-B-8240First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Colombia | Capitol Records 446-114512", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of The Mexican are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Canada, France, Greece and more. One of them is EMI America V-7831.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V-7831, B-8240, V-7831-1/2, P-B-8240) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-1-7831-Z-6 HERbiE JR :<) JELLYbEAN · -------◁ and V-2-7831 - Z3 HERbiE JR :<) · -------◁. 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.
