Vinyl pressings
by Richie Havens · 1977
Mirage 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.
18 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 12 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.
A&M SP 5019-P1Runout side A, variant 1
A&M SP 5020-P1Runout side B, variant 1
A&M SP 5019-P1 A 3Runout side A, variant 2
A&M SP 5020-P1 B 3Runout side B, variant 2
A&M SP5019-M2 (MR) L △22621(6)Side A runout
A&M SP5020-M3 (MR) Z △22621-X (2)Side B runout
SP-5019Label side A
SP-5020Label side B
A&M SP 5019-T1 A T2Runout side A, etched
A&M SP 5020-T2 A T1Runout side B, etched
SP-5019Matrix side A, on label
SP-5020Matrix side B, on label
A&M SP5019-M1Side 1 (etched)
A&M SP5020-M5Side 2 (etched)
A&M SP 5019-T1 A T2Runout side A, etched, A Stamped
A&M SP 5020-T2 A T1Runout side B, etched, A Stamped
SP-5019Matrix side A, on label
SP-5020Matrix side B, on label
AMLH64641-A1Side A: runout stamped
AM SP5019-M6 U ? ◁2262/ <Side A: runout etched
AMLH64641-A1Side B: runout stamped
AM SP5020-M6 C ? ◁2262/-X <Side B: runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | A&M Records 6555First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | A&M Records L 36263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | A&M Records SA&M-2210First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4641First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64641First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 64641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GP-2057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GP-2057First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 36263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLH 64641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4641First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4641First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4641First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Mirage are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4641.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4641, AMLH 64641, 6555, L 36263) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M SP 5019-P1 and A&M SP 5020-P1. 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.
