Vinyl pressings
by Mariah Carey · 1999
Heartbreaker was first pressed on vinyl in 1999. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1999, 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.
['Z', overwritten by a 'X']SS 79261A-2 AATBRunout side A, etched
['Z', overwritten by a 'X']SS 79261-BRunout side B, etched
XSS 79261A-2 RJ AATBSide A variant 2 (X is over a mistake Z) (RJ looks like a distorted 2)
XSS-79261-B 1Side B variant 2 (X is over a mistake Z)
668301 7 A1A
668301 7 A1AA
ZSS-79260A-2 AATBA-Side Runout Etching
ZSS-79260-B AATBB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 79260ASide A, On Label
ZSS 79260BSide B, On Label
XSS 42813ALabel A
XSS 42813BLabel B
"Mariah Carey Heartbreaker"
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Europe | Columbia 667868 6 / Columbia COL 667868 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1999 | Europe | Columbia 667868 6 / Columbia COL 667868 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1999 | Spain | Columbia 667868 6 / Columbia COL 667868 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1999 | UK | Columbia XPR 2519First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1999 | UK | Columbia 668301 7First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, White Label |
| 1999 | US | Columbia CAS 42813First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1999 | US | Columbia 38-79260First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1999 | US | ColumbiaFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1999 | US | Columbia 44 79261First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Columbia 19658739821 / Legacy 1965873982112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of Heartbreaker are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1999 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1999, in US, UK, Europe, Spain. One of them is Columbia 44 79261, released September 21, 1999.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44 79261, 668301 7, 38-79260, XPR 2519) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ['Z', overwritten by a 'X']SS 79261A-2 AATB and ['Z', overwritten by a 'X']SS 79261-B. 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.
