Vinyl pressings
by Kurtis Blow · 1980
Throughout Your Years was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
MASTERDISKRunout stamp both sides
MK - 153 - 56181 - A - WM PRC R1 - 1 - 1 MASTERDISK HWRunout side A
MK - 153 - 56181 - A - WM PRC - R - 2 -1 -1 MASTERDISK HWRunout side B
MK-153-56181-A- P̶w̶-̶1̶ PRC-R1–1–1 ȴ [MASTERDISK] ℋ𝓌Runout side A Etching, variant 2
MASTERDISK HW 76083 . 56185 . SH.I 98669Runout side A variant 1
76083 . 56186 . SH.I 98672Runout side B variant 1
76083∙ 56185∙ SH∙I 98678 MASTERDISK HWRunout side A variant 2
76083∙ 56186 - SH∙I 98676Runout side B variant 2
MASTERDISK HW 76083 . 56185 - PRC - R - 2 - 1 - 1Runout area side A
76083 . 56186 - PRC - R1 - 11 - 11Runout area side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | PolyGram 6170 021First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Mercury 6837 667First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | France | Mercury 6170 040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6170 021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6170 030First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-17First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Mercury 6170 021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Mercury MK 153First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Mercury 76083First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Mercury 76083 / Mercury 6170 021First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Mercury 76083 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Mercury 76083First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Mercury MK 153-5618112", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | US | Not On Label7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Peru | Mercury F-MER 6170021.47", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Guatemala | Mercury 6170 1047", Single | 7", Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Throughout Your Years are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Brazil, France, Germany and more. One of them is Mercury MK 153.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MK 153, 76083, 76083 DJ, 6170 021) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK and MK - 153 - 56181 - A - WM PRC R1 - 1 - 1 MASTERDISK HW. 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.
