Vinyl pressings
by Mariah Carey · 1993
Dreamlover was first pressed on vinyl in 1993. 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 1993, the album's first year, in 7 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.
XSS-77079-A-1ASide A runout groove hand etched, variant 1
XSS-77079-B-1ASide B runout groove hand etched, variant 1
XSS-77079-A-1ASide A runout groove hand etched, variant 2
XSS-77079-B-1BSide B runout groove hand etched, variant 2
ZSS 77080A-1AA-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 77080B-1AB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 77080AA-Side Label
ZSS 77080BB-Side Label
XSS-77079-A-1AA-Side Runout Etching
XSS-77079-B-1AB-Side Runout Etching
XSS 77079AA-Side Label
XSS 77079BB-Side Label
XSS5450A-1B VLADOSide A runout
XSS5450B-1ASide B runout
01-659444-21-1A 1 ARunout side A
01 659444 21 2B 1 ARunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Europe | Columbia 659444 7 / Columbia COL 659444 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1993 | Europe | Columbia 659444 7 / Columbia COL 659444 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1993 | Europe | Columbia COL 659444 7 / Columbia 659444 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1993 | Jamaica | Columbia 38-77080First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1993 | Philippines | Columbia QCL45-10435First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1993 | Spain | CBS/Sony ARIC 233First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1993 | UK | Epic XPR 1945First year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1993 | US | Columbia 44 77079First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1993 | US | Columbia ACD 77079First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1993 | US | Columbia 38-77080First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1993 | US | Columbia CAS 5450First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1993 | Zimbabwe | Columbia SP 3642First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1993 | Europe | Columbia 659444 8 / Columbia COL 659444 8First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | UK | Not On Label (Mariah Carey) MACA 001 / Not On Label (Musaphia & Mayhem) MACA 00112", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Costa Rica | Sony Music 7102599312", Single Sided, Single | 12", Single Sided, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Dreamlover are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1993 and 2006.
The earliest pressings are from 1993, in US, UK, Europe, Jamaica and more. One of them is Columbia 44 77079.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44 77079, 38-77080, XPR 1945, ACD 77079) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-77079-A-1A and XSS-77079-B-1A. 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.
