Vinyl pressings
by Mary J. Blige · 1992
Real Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1992. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1992, the album's first year, in 3 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.
UPT-11350-A-SS2 (Stamped) STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
UPT-11351-B-SS3 (Stamped) STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
UPT-11350-A-SS2 (Stamped) STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
UPT-11351Side B runout, variant 2
̶U̶P̶T̶ ̶S̶ ̶7̶-̶5̶4̶4̶5̶5̶-̶ MC-38482-A-SS2 STERLINGA side runout
̶U̶P̶T̶ ̶S̶ ̶7̶-̶5̶4̶4̶5̶5̶-̶ MC 38560-B-SS2 STERLINGB side runout
MC 38482A side label
MC 38560B side label
UPT 11317Side A label
UPT 11318Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Netherlands | MCA Records MCT 30056First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1992 | UK | MCA Records MCT 30005First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1992 | UK | MCA Records WMCST 1922First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1992 | US | Uptown Records UPT12 54456First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1992 | US | Uptown Records UPT8P-2308First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1992 | US | Uptown Records UPTS7-54455First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1992 | US | Not On Label (Mary J. Blige) BJ-523912", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1992 | UK | MCA Records MCST 1721First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1992 | UK | MCA Records MCS 1721First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1993 | Unknown | Uptown Records UPT8P 250312", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1993 | UK | MCA Records MCSX 192212", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1993 | UK | MCA Records MCST 192212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Canada | rr1000 01112", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial, Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial, Test pressing |
| 2004 | US | MCA Records CATR-05104-112", Promo, Limited Edition · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", Promo, Limited Edition · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2004 | Canada | rr1000 01112", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| 2004 | Canada | rr1000 01112", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Mary J. Blige) MJ-0112", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Not On Label (Mary J. Blige)12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
18 vinyl pressings of Real Love are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1992 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1992, in US, UK, Netherlands. One of them is Uptown Records UPT12 54456.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UPT12 54456, UPTS7-54455, UPT8P-2308, MCST 1721) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UPT-11350-A-SS2 (Stamped) STERLING and UPT-11351-B-SS3 (Stamped) STERLING. 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.
