Vinyl pressings
by The Belle Stars · 1982
Mockingbird 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.
10 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 5 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.
BUY-159-A1 BilBo TAPE One ΛA-Side, Etched: Variant 1
BUY-159-B1 BilBo TAPE One ΛB-Side, Etched: Variant 1
BUY-159-A1 BilBo TAPE One ΛA-Side, Etched: Variant 2
BUY- 159-B2 Λ BilBo TAPE OneB-Side, Etched: Variant 2
Buy. IT. 159. A.1 BILBO. TAPEONE Ʌ,Runout Side A Etched
Buy. IT. 159. B.1 BILBO. TAPEONE ɅRunout Side B Etched
BUY-159-A1 Bibo TapeoreSide A runout
BUY-159-B1 Bibo TapeoreSide B runout
BUY IT - 159 - A -1 BILBO. TAPEONEA side
BUY IT - 159 - B -1 BILBO. TAPEONEB side
6.13 652-01-1Label side A
6.13 652-01-2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Belgium | Stiff Records BUY 159First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.13 652 / Stiff Records BUY 159First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.13 652 / Stiff Records BUY 159First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.13 652 / Stiff Records BUY 159First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Stiff Records BUY 159First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records BUY 159First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | UK | Stiff Records BUY IT 159First year12" | 12" |
| 1982 | UK | Stiff Records BUYDJ 159First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | Stiff Records buy it 159First year12", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 159First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
10 vinyl pressings of Mockingbird are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 159, released September 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 159, BUY IT 159, BUYDJ 159, buy it 159) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY-159-A1 BilBo TAPE One Λ and BUY-159-B1 BilBo TAPE One Λ. 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.
