Vinyl pressings
by Kurtis Blow · 1985
If I Ruled The World 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.
13 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
884269-1 2-58547 PRC-R-A-1-1-1- MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK (stamp) Herbie Jr. (smiley face)Etching Side A
884269-1BSPRC-R-1-1-2 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK (stamp) Herbie Jr. (smiley face)Etching Side B
2-58547Label Side A
BSLabel Side B
884269-1 2-58547 HRM 2Runout, Side A
884269-1BS HRMRunout, Side B
2-58547Label Side A
BSLabel Side B
JABX 26 A // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1Runout stamped side A, variant 1
JABX 26 B // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 2Runout stamped side B, variant 1
JABX 26 A // 1 ∇ 420 RRunout stamped side A, variant 2
JABX 26 B // 4 ∇ 420 RRunout stamped side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Mercury 884 269-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 884 269-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 884 269-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Club JAB X26 / Club JABX 26First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Club JAB 26First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Club JABDJ 26First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Club JABXDJ 26First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Club JAB 26First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 884 269-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 884 269-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 884 269-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 884 269-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 884 269-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 884 269-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 884 269-112", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
15 vinyl pressings of If I Ruled The World are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, France. One of them is Mercury 884 269-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 884 269-1, 884 269-7, 884 269-7 DJ, JAB X26) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 884269-1 2-58547 PRC-R-A-1-1-1- MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK (stamp) Herbie Jr. (smiley face) and 884269-1BSPRC-R-1-1-2 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK (stamp) Herbie Jr. (smiley face). 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.
