Vinyl pressings
by Tom Jones · 1981
Darlin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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.
-12- SRM-1-4010-AS-PRC-C-2-1-11 MasterfonicsRunout A etched except Masterfonics stamped
-S- SRM-1-4010-BS-PRC C-1-1-11 MasterfonicsRunout A etched except Masterfonics stamped
(SRM-1-4010-AS)Label A
(SRM-1-4010-BS)Label B
SRM-14010-AS-K1 Masterfonics B 1 1 (Winchester Symbol)Dead Wax Side A
SRM-1-4010 ASLabel Side A
SRM-1-4010 BSLabel Side B
SRM-14010-BS-K3 Masterfonics D -1 (Winchester Symbol)
A- ᐉ SRM-1-4010-AS-K MasterfonicsRunout A etched except Masterfonics stamped
𝞥-1 ᐉ SRM-1-4010-BS-K2 MasterfonicsRunout A etched except Masterfonics stamped
(SRM-1-4010-A)Label A
(SRM-1-4010-B)Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Mercury 6337149First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Argentina | Mercury 6337149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australasia | Mercury 6337 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-4010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Mercury 6337 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Mercury 6337 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Mercury 28PP-10First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Mercury LPR 19046First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6337 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Rainbow RLP 49963First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Peru | Mercury Y-MER 6337149.5First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Mercury 6337 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Mercury STAR 5198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Mercury 63 37 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Turkey | Philips 6337 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
25 vinyl pressings of Darlin' are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Argentina, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-4010.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-4010, CN 2074, 2480-622, 6337149) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, -12- SRM-1-4010-AS-PRC-C-2-1-11 Masterfonics and -S- SRM-1-4010-BS-PRC C-1-1-11 Masterfonics. 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.
