Vinyl pressings
by The Fleetwoods · 1959
Mr. Blue was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1959, 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.
DO-606- 4Runout - Etched - Side A, variant 1
ACRunout - Stamped - Side A, variant 1
DO-607 4Runout - Etched - Side B, variant 1
A5Runout - Stamped - Side B, variant 1
DO-606- 4 A6Side A runout
DO-607 A6 4Side B runout
DO-606Side A label
DO-607Side B label
DO-606 A2 2 RRunout A etched [A2 R stamped]
DO-607 B3 1 RRunout B etched [B3 R stamped]
DO-606Label A
DO-607Label B
DO-606 8 Δ30910A-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
DO-607 5 Δ30911B-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
DO-606 A2 6 Δ30910A-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
DO-607 B3 6 Δ30911B-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
DO-606 A2 6 Δ30010Side A Handwritten
DO-607 B3 6 Δ30911Side A Handwritten
DO-606Label A
DO-607Label B
DO 606 340A Side Runout, Scribed
DO 607 340B Side Runout, Scribed
DO-606A Side Label
DO-607B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | Quality K1949First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Germany | Top Rank International 75 027First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1959 | Italy | Top Rank International R. 45-2038First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | Netherlands | Top Rank International 45-HTR 530First year7" | 7" |
| 1959 | Netherlands | Top Rank International 45-HTR 530First year7" | 7" |
| 1959 | New Zealand | Top Rank International 45JAR-168First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Scandinavia | Top Rank International T 1012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | South Africa | Top Rank International JAR 115 X 45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Sweden | Top Rank International T 1012First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | Top Rank International 45-JAR-202First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | UK | Top Rank International 45-JAR-202First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | US | Dolton Records No. 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | US | Dolton Records No. 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1959 | US | Dolton Records No. 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1959 | US | Dolton Records 5First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Australia | Festival Records FK-31247", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Japan | Top Rank International RANK-10027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Festival Records FK-31247", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Dolton Records No. 57", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
26 vinyl pressings of Mr. Blue are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1959 and 1960.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, UK, South Africa, Canada and more. One of them is Dolton Records No. 5, released July 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use No. 5, 5, JAR 202, 45-JAR-202) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DO-606- 4 and AC. 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.
