Vinyl pressings
by Ohio Players · 1977
Mr. Mean was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
STERLINGA-side stamped, variant 1 & 2
SRM-1-3707 A CP14A-side runout etching, variant 1
SRM-1-3707 B CP15 DBB-side runout etching, variant 1
P SRM-1-3707 A CP14A-side runout etching, variant 2
SRM-1-3707-ALabel A
SRM-1-3707-BLabel B
T1 SRM-1-3707 A CT12 STERLING B5A-side runout
T1 SRM-1-3707 B CT11 STERLINGB-side runout
SRM-1-3707-AA-side label
SRM-1-3707-BB-side label
SRC SRM-1-3707 A SP 18 \ / STERLINGA-side, runout
SRC SRM-1-3707B-18 \ /B-side, runout
SRM-1-3707 SPA-side, label
SRM-1-3707 SPB-side, label
SRM-1-3707 PRC R-25 1-1 STERLINGA-side runout
SRM-1-3707 PRC B-25 7-1 STERLINGB-side runout
SRM-1-3707-AA-side label
SRM-1-3707-BB-side label
T1 SRM-1-3707 A CT11 STERLING C2A-side runout
T1 SRM-1-3707 B CT12 A6B-side runout
SRM-1-3707-AA-side label
SRM-1-3707-BB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-3707 / Mercury 9110 055First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Mercury 6338 865First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7355First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7355First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 865First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-3707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-3707LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-3707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-3707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-3707First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-3707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-3707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-3707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | Mercury 6338 865LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | Mercury 6338 865LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-3707LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
18 vinyl pressings of Mr. Mean are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Canada, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-3707.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-3707, 6338 865, RJ-7355) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING and SRM-1-3707 A CP14. 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.
