Vinyl pressings
by The Special AKA · 1984
Nelson Mandela c/w Break Down The Door! was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
CHSTT 26 ∇ A 3 // 420 P 1 1 NOELRunout, A-side, variant 1
CHSTT 26 ∇ B ∇ 3 420 P 1 1Runout, B-side, variant 1
CHSTT 26 ∇ A 3 // 420 P 1 2 1 NOELRunout, A-side, variant 2
CHSTT 26 ∇ B ∇ 3 420 P 1 1 1 1Runout, B-side, variant 2
CHSTT 1226 A ▽ NOEL 3 420 PRun-out side A, stamped, etched inverted tag - variant 1
CHSTT 1226 B ▽ 1 420 VRun-out side B, stamped - variant 1
CHSTT 1226 A ▽ NOEL 3 420 P 12 5Run-out side A, stamped, etched inverted tag - variant 2
CHSTT 1226 B ▽ 1 420 V 11 2Run-out side B, stamped - variant 2
CHS TT 26-A1 NOEL ☆MT☆ 1IRunout side A
CHS TT 26-B1 DAMONT ☆MT☆ 1 IIRunout side AA
TT 26-A1Label side A
TT 26-A2Label side AA
CHSTT 26 ▽ A 3// 420 P NOELRunout side A, stamped, tag etched
CHSTT 26 ▽B▽3 420 PRunout side AA, stamped
CHSTT 26 ∇ A 3 // 420 P NOELRunout side A
CHSTT 26 ∇ B ∇ 3 420 PRunout side B
CHSTT 26 ▽ A 3// 420 P NOELRunout side A, stamped, tag etched
CHSTT 26 ▽B▽3 420 PRunout side AA, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Two-Tone Records K 9399 / Chrysalis CHS TT26First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Australia | Two-Tone Records X 13237 / Two-Tone Records CHS TT12 26First year12", Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Canada | Chrysalis CS-42793First yearMaxi-Single, 12" | Maxi-Single, 12" |
| 1984 | Europe | Two-Tone Records 106 323-100 / Chrysalis 106 323First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 601 247First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 601 247First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 106 323First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 106 323-100 / Chrysalis 106 323First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHS TT 26First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHS TT 26First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 106 323First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 9399 / Festival Records K 9399First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 9399 / Festival Records K 9399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 9399First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | South Africa | Chrysalis CHS 26First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 106323 / Chrysalis 106 3237", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
43 vinyl pressings of Nelson Mandela c/w Break Down The Door! are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1984 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Two-Tone Records CHS TT 26, released March 5, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS TT 26, CHS TT12 26, CHS TT 12 26, 4V9 42793) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHSTT 26 ∇ A 3 // 420 P 1 1 NOEL and CHSTT 26 ∇ B ∇ 3 420 P 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.
