Vinyl pressings
by The B-52's · 1982
Mesopotamia was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
MINI-1-3641·WW1 #4 ─◁ STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
MINI-1-3641-WW1 #4 ─◁ STERLINGRunout B, variant 2
MINI-1-3641·WW1 #7 ─◁ STERLINGRunout A, variant 3
MINI 2-3641·WW1 #4 ─◁ STERLINGRunout B, variant 3
MINI•1•3641-LW1• 3 ✲ STERLING STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
MINI•2•3641-LW2• 3 ✲ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
MINI•2•3641-LW1• ✲ STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
MINI•2•3641-LW2• ✲ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
MINI•1•3641-JW1#3 STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 1
MINI•2•3641-JW2 #2 STERLING 0Side B runout, variant 1
MINI•1•3641-JW2 #1 STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 3
MINI•2•3641-JW1 STERLING 0Side B runout, variant 3
MINI-1-3641-1B T1 COLUMBIA NYSide 1
MINI-2-3641-1B T2 COLUMBIA NYSide 2
ISSP 4005 A-3U GRAEME - SOUND CLINICA-Side Runout - Variant 1
ISSP 4006 B-3U GRAEMEB-Side Runout - Variant 1
ISSP 4006 A-3U 5 1 GRAEME - SOUND CLINICA-Side Runout - Variant 2
ISSP 4006 B-◯3U 4 1 GRAEME -B-Side Runout - Variant 2
ISSP 4005 A-3U GRAEME - SOUND CLINICA-Side Runout - Variant 1
ISSP 4006 B-1UB-Side Runout - Variant 1
ILPS-9694-BB-Side Runout - Etched
ISSP 4006 ILPS 9694 A-1 U xx - X 1 STERLING 1Side A Variant 2, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records MINI 3641LP, Mini-Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Mini-Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Argentina | Warner Bros. Records SLIN 3226First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Argentina | Warner Bros. Records 83526First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 86.006First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records MINI 3641First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 217 / Island Records 204 217-250LP, Mini-Album, Repress | LP, Mini-Album, Repress |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 217 / Island Records 204 217-250First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 217 / Island Records 204 217-250LP, Mini-Album, Repress | LP, Mini-Album, Repress |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 217 / Island Records 204 217-250First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 217 / Island Records 204 217-250First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 204 217 / Island Records 204 217-250LP, Mini-Album, Repress | LP, Mini-Album, Repress |
| 1982 | France | Phonogram 6313 301 / Island Records 6313 301First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Island Records 14C 062-64775 / Island Records 14C 062 64775First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Guatemala | Warner Bros. RecordsFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Island Records ISSP 4006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | US | Warner Bros. Records RCV1 364112", EP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", EP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2019 | US | Warner Bros. Records RCV13641 / Warner Bros. Records RCV1 364112", EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | USA & Canada | Warner Records RCD1 364112", Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | US | Warner Records R2 729188 / Rhino Records 603497803743Box Set, Deluxe Edition, LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue, CD, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, CD, CD · Limited | Box Set, Deluxe Edition, LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue, CD, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, CD, CD · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 609.7001 / Warner Bros. Records 86.00612", Mini-Album, Reissue | 12", Mini-Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 204 217LP, Mini-Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Mini-Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 204 217LP, Mini-Album, Reissue | LP, Mini-Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Island Records 5B 204217LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Island Records I-204 217LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ISSP 4006LP, Mini-Album, Reissue | LP, Mini-Album, Reissue |
52 vinyl pressings of Mesopotamia are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1981 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Venezuela, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records MINI 3641, released January 27, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MINI 3641, ISSP 4006, W-2939, WB-2939) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MINI-1-3641·WW1 #4 ─◁ STERLING and MINI-1-3641-WW1 #4 ─◁ STERLING. 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.
