Vinyl pressings
by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel · 1975
Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean) was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
EMI 2299 A-1 P R 1A-side runout, stamped variant 1
EMI 2299 B-5 A G 1B-side runout, stamped variant 1
EMI 2299 A-1 AH 1A-side runout, stamped variant 2
EMI 2299 B-5 AR 1B-side runout, stamped variant 2
EMI 2299 A-1A-side runout, stamped
EMI 2299 B-5B-side runout, stamped
EMI 2299 A-1 G 1A-side runout, stamped
EMI 2299 B-5 G 1B-side runout, stamped
EMI 2299 A-1 G 1Side A, stamped
EMI 2299 B-5 G 1Side B, stamped
5C 006-05901- A//HM 25201-1-Y C→ 1 1 1Runout side A
5C 006-05901- B//HM 25202-1-Y C→ 2 1 1Runout side B
5C 006-05901-ALabel side A
5C 006-05901-BLabel side B
EMI2299AA-Side Label
EMI2299BB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | EMI EMI-10851First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Belgium | EMI 4 C006-05901First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Finland | EMI 5E 006-05901First year7", Single, Stereo, 45 RPM | 7", Single, Stereo, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Germany | EMI 1 C006-05 901 / EMI 1 C 006-05 901First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | EMI 05901 / EMI 1C 006-05 901First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Ireland | EMI 2299First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Japan | EMI EMR-10811First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 2299First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | UK | EMI EMI 2299First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1975 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton SEMI 88864 / EMI SEMI 88864First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | EMI EMI 2299First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | EMI EMI 2299First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | EMI EMI 2299First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 006-05901 / EMI 5C 006-05 901First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Australia | EMI EMI-10851First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of Mr. Raffles (Man, It Was Mean) are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Netherlands, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is EMI EMI 2299, released May 16, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 2299, 5C 006-05901, EMI-10851, 4 C006-05901) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 2299 A-1 P R 1 and EMI 2299 B-5 A G 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.
