US
July 1959- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 71474X45
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Allied Pressing
- Runout / matrix
E 4433 YWM-17440-1Side A deadwax
E 4432 YWM-17439-3Side B deadwax
YW17440Label A
YW17439Label B
Vinyl pressings
Running Bear
by Johnny Preston · 1959
24 pressings15 countriesRock & RollVocalRockPop
Running Bear was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Running Bear
17 pressings came out in 1959, 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.
US
1959- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 71474X45
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Rockaway Pressing
- Runout / matrix
YM 17440-3 A1 RA-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
YM 17439-2 A1 RB-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
YM 17440 10 RA-Side Runout Stamped, variant 2
YWM-17439-MSG RB-Side Runout Stamped, variant 2
US
1959- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 71474
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Rockaway Pressing
- Runout / matrix
YM 17440-1 R A1A side runout
YM 17440-1 R A1B side runout
YW17440A side label
YW17439B side label
US
1959- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 71474X45
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
YM 17440-MS8 F - SSide A Runout Etching, variant 1
YM 17439-MS6 F- SSide B Runout Etching, variant 1
YM 17440-MS5 FFSide A Runout Etching, variant 2
YM 17439-MS6 FFSide B Runout Etching, variant 2
US
1959- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 71474
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Rockaway Pressing
- Runout / matrix
YW 17440 2 RSide A Label
YW 17439-1 ^I RSide B Label
US
1959- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 71474X45
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo
- Runout / matrix
YWM-17440-2Side A [etched]
YWM-17437-1Side B [etched]
YW17440Label Side A
YW17439Label Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 24 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s17 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Australia | Esquire Mercury 45318First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Belgium | Mercury 71.474 x 45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Canada | Mercury 71474XFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Denmark | Mercury 71474 X 45 / Mercury 71474-X-45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Denmark | Mercury 71474-X-45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Finland | Mercury 71474x45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Germany | Mercury R 21 406 / Mercury 71474x45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Ireland | Mercury 45-AMT (I) 1079First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Italy | Mercury 70407x45First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | New Zealand | Mercury 71474First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Norway | Mercury MNS 3061First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | US | Mercury 71474X45First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | US | Mercury 71474First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | US | Mercury 71474X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1959 | US | Mercury 71474X45First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
1960s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Japan | Mercury MS-957", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Netherlands | Mercury 9571007", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Mercury 45-AMT 10797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Mercury 45-AMT 10797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 870 013-77", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 9571007", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | South Africa | Mercury MER 2021Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
Tracklist
- ARunning Bear2:33
- BMy Heart Knows2:22
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Running Bear are there?
24 vinyl pressings of Running Bear are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1959 and 1987.
When was Running Bear first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, Australia, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury 71474X45, released July 1959.
How do I tell if my copy of Running Bear is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 71474X45, 71474, 45318, 71.474 x 45) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, E 4433 YWM-17440-1 and E 4432 YWM-17439-3. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Running Bear on vinyl worth?
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.