Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Mathis · 1964
This Is Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 4 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.
MG 20942A-M2 IIIRRRunout side A, variant 1
MG 20942B-M2 R-II RRRunout side B, variant 1
MG 20942A M2 III RRRunout side A, variant 2
MG 20942B M1 IIII RRRunout side B, variant 2
SR 60942-A- M1 RR IISide A runout
SR 60942-B- M2 RIIII RRSide B runout
SR 60942-A-M1Side A runout, variant 1
SR 60942-B-M1Side B runout, variant 1
SR 60942-A-M2Side A runout, variant 2
SR 60942-B-M2Side B runout, variant 2
SR 60942-A-M1Side A runout
SR 60942-B-M1Side B runout
MG 20942A M2 IIII RR CSide A runout
MG 20942B M2 R III A RRSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | Mercury MG 20942(C) / Mercury MG 20942 (C)First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Germany | Electrola SME 84 049First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | UK | His Master's Voice CLP1859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1964 | US | Mercury SR 60942 / Mercury SR 60942First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Mercury MG 20942 / Mercury MG-20942First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Mercury SR 60942 / Mercury SR-60942First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | Mercury MG 20942 / Mercury MG-20942First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1964 | US | Mercury SR 60942 / Mercury SR-60942First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | Brazil | Odeon MOFB 338LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Young World EZ 1043LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of This Is Love are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1964 and 1966.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Canada, Germany. One of them is Mercury MG 20942, released September 18, 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MG 20942, SR 60942, CLP1859, MG 20942(C)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MG 20942A-M2 IIIRR and MG 20942B-M2 R-II RR. 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.
