Vinyl pressings
by John Mayall · 1971
Memories was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 12 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.
PD-5012-A-1 STERLING RL PRCSide A runout, variant 1
PD-5012-B-1 STERLING PRCSide B runout, variant 1
PD-5012-A-1-1-1 STERLING RL PRCSide A runout, variant 2
PD•5012•B-1-1-1 STERLING PRCSide B runout, variant 2
P POLP 80231-1A STERLING LHRunout A variant 1
P POLP 80232-1A STERLING LHRunout B variant 1
P POLP 80231-1A STERLING LH P 8 2Runout A variant 2
1 POLP 80232-1A 1 STERLING C 1Runout B variant 2
POLP 80231-1C MR △16408 STERLINGSide A runout
POLP 80232-1C MR △16408-X STERLINGSide B runout
POLP 80231Side A label
POLP 80232Side B label
POLP 80231 - 1E [I A M in triangle] STERLING 2 LHSide A Runout, variant 1
POLP 80232 - 1E [I A M in triangle] STERLING LHSide B Runout, variant 1
POLP 80231 - 1E #2 STERLING 2 LH [I A M in triangle]Side A Runout, variant 2
POLP 80232 - 1E [I A M in triangle] STERLING 2 LHSide B Runout, variant 2
S T 2 POLP 80231-1D [STERLING o stamped] RLA Side Runout Etching
/ T 2 S POLP 80232-1D [STERLING 0 stamped] RLB Side Runout Etching
POLP 80231Matrix A, on label
POLP 80232Matrix B, on label
PD-5012-A-1 RL PRCSide A (etched)
PD-5012-B-1 PRCSide B (etched)
SterlingSide A stamped
POLP 80231-1A sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ LHSide A, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Polydor 2425 085First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Austria | Polydor 2425 085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Polydor 2425 085First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Canada | Polydor 2425 085First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | France | Polydor 2391 009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2425 085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2425 085First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Italy | Polydor 2425 085 LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Mexico | Polydor 16059 / Polydor 2425 085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Polydor 2425 085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2425 085 / Polydor 2425.085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Polydor 24 25 099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Polydor 2425 085 / Polydor 2425-085First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Polydor PD 5012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Polydor PD 5012 / Polydor PD-5012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Polydor 2391 009LP, Album | LP, Album |
25 vinyl pressings of Memories are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1971 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor PD 5012.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 5012, 2425 085, 2391 009, 2425 085 L) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD-5012-A-1 STERLING RL PRC and PD-5012-B-1 STERLING PRC. 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.
