Vinyl pressings
by Stevie Wonder · 1987
Characters was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 19 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.
6248MLA 15A DMM △18729 Precision YYⅠ 1-1 #12Side A, etched, variant 1
6248MLB 15B YYⅠ #12 DMM △18729-X Precision 1-1Side B, etched, variant 1
6248MLA 15B YYI #12 DMM △18729 Precision 1-1 014Side A, etched, ('014' is mirrored) variant 2
6248MLB 15B YYI #12 DMM △18729-X Precision 1-1 035Side B, etched, ('035' is mirrored) variant 2
6248MLA 15A YYI DMM ∆18729 Precision 1-1Side A runout etched
6248MLB 15B YYI DMM ∆18729-X Precision 1-1Side B runout etched
6248MLA-1A G1 B1Side A Runout Etching
6248MLB-1A G1 A5Side B Runout Etching
6248 MLASide A Label
6248 MLBSide B Label
6248MLA 15B DMM ∆18729 PRECISION 1-2 J10
6248MLB 15B DMM ∆18729-x PRECISION 1-2 O49 [mirror]
6248MLA 15A YYI DMM △18729 Precision 1-1Side A, Etched
6248MLB 15B YYI DMM △18729-X Precision 1-1Side B, Etched
6248MLASide A, Center Label
6248MLBSide B, Center Label
RMTL - 8050A 111✠ K V 〄Runout side A
RMTL - 8050B 123✠Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Motown TLP 90068First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Brazil | Motown 140.8003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Motown ML 6248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Motown MOX 6248 / Motown MOX-6248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Colombia | Motown 05(1731)02181First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Costa Rica | Motown 1015001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Not On Label ZL72001 / Not On Label 6248MLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Greece | Motown 72011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Israel | Motown ZL72001 / Eastronics 6248 MCFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Motown ZL 72001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Motown ZL 72001First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Mexico | Motown MOW*87First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | Motown MLP-2856First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Portugal | Motown 6248MLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Africa | Motown TMC 5525First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Motown SFL1 0160LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Brazil | Motown 140.8003LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
40 vinyl pressings of Characters are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1987 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Japan, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Motown 6248ML.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6248ML, RMTL-8050, 140.8003, ML 6248) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6248MLA 15A DMM △18729 Precision YYⅠ 1-1 #12 and 6248MLB 15B YYⅠ #12 DMM △18729-X Precision 1-1. 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.
