Vinyl pressings
by Santa Esmeralda · 1977
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood + Esmeralda Suite 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.
41 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 26 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.
850 6042325✱A✱1Runout, A-side, machine stamped
850 6042325✱B✱1Runout, B-side, machine stamped
60 42 325. 1Center label, A-side
60 42 325. 2Center label, B-side
6042325 6̶1̶7̶2̶0̶2̶8̶ 1F//1▼420 04A Side Run-out Etching
6042325 2F//2▼420 04B Side Run-out Etching
NB 902 AS RE-1A-side label
NB 902 BSB-side label
T NB-902-AS AZ ❀ TH-2 TIVariant 1 Runout, side A, etched
T NB-902-BS TH-1 AZ TIVariant 1 Runout, side B, etched
T NB-902-AS RE-1 TH-1 AZ TIIIVariant 2 Runout, side A, etched
T NB-902-BS TH-1 AZ TVariant 2 Runout, side B, etched
NB 902 AS RE-1A-side label
NB 902 BSB-side label
NB-902-A-1A AZ c sRunout, side A
NB-902-BS SM-1 AZ (birds) sRunout, side B
NB 902 ASLabel Side A
NB 902 BSLabel Side B
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 | Philips 6172 028First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Australia | Philips 6042 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | Philips 6042 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Barbados | Philips 6042 325First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Brazil | Philips 6042 325First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Sterling STG 709First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | Chile | Philips 6042 325 / Philips 6172028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Ecuador | Philips 45-30236 / Philips 6172028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Finland | Philips 6172 028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Philips 6172.028 / Philips 6172 028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Philips 6172.028 / Philips 6172 028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Guatemala | Philips 60 42 325First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | Guatemala | Philips 6042 325First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | Ireland | Philips 6042 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Italy | Philips 6042 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | US | Casablanca NB 23497", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| 1982 | US | Casablanca NB 23497", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Philips 888 631-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Phonogram 888 631-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1993 | Canada | Unidisc SPEC-166312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 1993 | Canada | Unidisc SPEC-166312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 1993 | Canada | Unidisc SPEC-166312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 1998 | France | Julisa 303844612", Single Sided | 12", Single Sided |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Philips 6042 3257", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| ? | Australia | Philips 6042 3257", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
56 vinyl pressings of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood + Esmeralda Suite are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1977 and 1998.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Spain, UK, US, Austria and more. One of them is Philips 60 42 325.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 60 42 325, 6042 325, NB 902, NB 902 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 850 6042325✱A✱1 and 850 6042325✱B✱1. 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.
