Vinyl pressings
by The Gaylords · 1954
The Little Shoemaker / Mecque, Mecque was first pressed on vinyl in 1954. 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 1954, the album's first year, in 6 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.
YB 10461 2F FIRunout, side A, stamped, variant 1
YB 10239 1Runout, side B, stamped, variant 1
YB 10461 2F FIRunout, side A, stamped, variant 2
YB 10239 2F 3 IRunout, side B, stamped, variant 2
YBF10461 5 M C
YBU10239 M A
YW10239A
YW10461B
45-YWF-10461-4Side A, etched
ASide A, stamped
45-YWU-10239Side B, etched
DSide B, stamped
YW10461Side A Label
YW10239Side B Label
YW 10461 H^Etched Side A
YW 10239 HEtched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Australia | Esquire Mercury A-1138First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | Canada | Mercury 70403-x45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1954 | France | Mercury MM 10037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1954 | Jamaica | Mercury R2002First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | Netherlands | Mercury 70403First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403-X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1954 | US | Mercury 70403First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | Mercury 70403Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Hong Kong | Mercury H.K. 50Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Mercury 70403Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Mercury 70403X457", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
20 vinyl pressings of The Little Shoemaker / Mecque, Mecque are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1954 and 1957.
The earliest pressings are from 1954, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Mercury 70403, released June 1954.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 70403, 70403X45, 70403-X45, A-1138) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YB 10461 2F FI and YB 10239 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.
