Vinyl pressings
by Paul McCartney · 1990
Birthday was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 10 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.
12 R 6271 A-1U-1-2 D 12R6271-A MASTERDISK DMMA Side, runout
12 R 6271 B-1U-1-1 D MASTERDISK DMM 12R6271-BB Side, runout
12R 6271ALabel A
12R 6271BLabel B
R 6271 A-1U-1-Q3 D MASTERDISK DMMA side, runout, stamped, etched, variant 1
R 6271 B-1U-1-Q3 D MASTERDISK DMM R 6271 - BB side, runout, stamped, etched, variant 1
R 6271 A-1U-1-Q3 R6271-A MASTERDISK DMM DA side, runout, stamped, etched, variant 2
R 6271 B-1U-1-Q3 D MASTERDISK DMM R 6271 - BB side, runout, stamped, etched, variant 2
12 R 6271 A-1 U-1-3Side A runout
12 R 6271 A-2 U-1-3Side B runout
R 6271 A-1U-1-2 R 6271-A MASTERDISK DMM DSide A runout - machine stamped / etched
R 6271 B-1U-1-2 D R 6271-B MASTERDISK DMMSide B runout - machine stamped / etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | Parlophone 2494-7 / MPL 2494-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Brazil | Parlophone 9951 223 / MPL 9951 223First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Europe | Parlophone 060-020 4085 6 / MPL 060-20 4085 6First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Europe | Parlophone 060-20 4085 6 / EMI 060-20 4085 6First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Europe | Parlophone 006-20 4085 7 / MPL 006-20 4085 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | France | MPL 2040857 / Parlophone 2040857First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Germany | Parlophone 006 20 4085 7 / MPL 006 20 4085 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Italy | Parlophone 06 2040857 / MPL 06 2040857First year7" | 7" |
| 1990 | Italy | Parlophone 14 2040856 / MPL 14 2040856First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Spain | Parlophone 06 2040857 / MPL 06 2040857First year7" | 7" |
| 1990 | Spain | Parlophone 052 20 4085 6 / MPL 052 20 4085 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | UK | Parlophone R6271 / MPL R6271First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Not On Label 12 R 6271First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1990 | Portugal | Parlophone 20 4085-7 / MPL 20 4085-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | Parlophone 12R6271 / MPL 12R 6271First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Birthday are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, Portugal, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Parlophone 12R6271, released October 8, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12R6271, R6271, 12 R 6271, 20 4085-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 R 6271 A-1U-1-2 D 12R6271-A MASTERDISK DMM and 12 R 6271 B-1U-1-1 D MASTERDISK DMM 12R6271-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.
