Vinyl pressings
by Mike & The Mechanics · 1985
Mike + The Mechanics 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.
34 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 19 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.
(Specialty Records Logo)Stamped in both sides A & B runouts
ST-A-855789-A 1-1 gsVariant 1 Side A Runout, Etched
ST-A-855790-A 1-4Variant 1 Side B Runout, Etched
ST-A-855789-A 1-5 gsVariant 2 Side A Runout, Etched
ST-A-855789-A \ -2 SPAR B-22054-A ∆10890 SRCSide A Etched, except SRC (logo) Stamp, Variant 1
ST-A-855790-A 1- SPAR B-22055 ∆10890-X SRCSide A Etched, except SRC (logo) Stamp, Variant 1
ST-A-855789-A 1-2 SPAR gs B-22054-A ∆10890 O- SRCSide A Etched, except SRC (logo) Stamp, Variant 2
ST-A-855790-A 1-2 SPAR B-22055 ∆10890-X O- SRCSide B Etched, except SRC (logo) Stamp, Variant 2
ST-A-855789A Side Label
ST-A-855790B Side Label
ST-A-855789-C Ψ 1- / -2 SP 101 Λ1A SRCA Side Etch, except SRC (logo) Stamp
ST-A-855790-A 1- A1A SRCB Side Etch, except SRC (logo) Stamp
ST-A-855789-A 1-1Side 1
ST-A-855790-A 1-Side 2
ST-A-855789-C Ψ 1- 1-2 SP-RCA I ΛI A [SRC logo]A Side Runout
ST-A-855790-A 1-5 SP-RCA I Λ I A [SRC logo]B Side Runout
ST-A-855789A Side Label
ST-A-855790B Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | WEA 83975First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australia | WEA 252496-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 12871First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic A1-81287 / Atlantic A1 81287LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 12871First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 12871First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Colombia | Atlantic 6094First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 252 496-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 252 496-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 252 496-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 252 496-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 252 496-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 252 496-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | WEA 252 496-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | Greece | WEA 252 496-1 / WEA 252496-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
41 vinyl pressings of Mike + The Mechanics are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Atlantic 7 81287-1, released November 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 81287-1, 81287, WX 49, P-13225) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (Specialty Records Logo) and ST-A-855789-A 1-1 gs. 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.
