Vinyl pressings
by Mai Tai · 1985
History (Special Dance Mix) 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.
28 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 15 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.
234 686 A 1 ℗ 1985 670 04 112Side A runout groove, stamped variant 1
234 686 B 1 ℗ 1985 670 04 111Side B runout groove, stamped variant 1
234 686 A 1 ℗ 1985 670 04 111Side A runout groove, stamped variant 2
234 686 B 1 ℗ 1985 670 04 114Side B runout groove, stamped variant 2
134 686 A 1 Ⓟ 1985 670 04Runout side A
134 686 B 1 Ⓟ 1985 670 04Runout side B
134.686 ALabel side A
134.686 BLabel side B
VS7739⃫12 A-2U-1-1-1-X1Side A runout groove machine stamped, Variant 1
HOT MELT UK HOT MILKSide A runout groove hand etched, Variant 1
VS7739⃫12 B-2U-1-1-XSide B runout groove machine stamped, Variant 1
VS77312 A-1U-1-1-・1 HOT MELT UK HOT MILKSide A runout, Variant 2
VS 773 A-2U-1-1- 3 HOT MILKA-side run-out, stamped ('HOT MILK' is etched), variant 1
VS 773 B-1U-1-1- 3B-side run-out, stamped, variant 1
VS 773 A-2U-1-1⥛1 3 HOT MILKA-side run-out, stamped ('HOT MILK' is etched), variant 2
VS 773 B-1U-1-2⥛ 3B-side run-out, stamped, variant 2
VS 773 A-2U-1-1⥛1 3 HOT MILKA-side runout, stamped/etched
VS 773 B-1U-1-2⥛ 4B-side runout, stamped
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 | Australasia | Mercury 880 973-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Mercury 880 973-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Mercury 880 973-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Critique CR 8512First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | Injection Disco Dance Label 234.686First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Injection Disco Dance Label 134.686First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Carrere 8536First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | Carrere 13 817First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | CNR 883 110-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | CNR 883 110-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Mercury 880973-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Delta DEM 784First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | Italy | Delta DEM 784First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Portugal | CNR 530008First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Gallo PD 2376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Europe | Coconut 74321 10192 77", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1992 | Germany | Coconut 74321 10192 1 / Coconut 7432110192112", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1995 | Italy | Zac International ZNT 01712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1995 | Italy | Zac International ZNT 01712", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1995 | Spain | Boy Records BOY-34712" | 12" |
| 1995 | UK | Avex UK AVEX T1612", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Netherlands | SMG Recordings SMG 0057", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
35 vinyl pressings of History (Special Dance Mix) are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1985 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, UK, US, Ireland and more. One of them is Injection Disco Dance Label 234.686.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 234.686, 134.686, VS 773-12, VS 773) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 234 686 A 1 ℗ 1985 670 04 112 and 234 686 B 1 ℗ 1985 670 04 111. 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.
