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.
11 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
76100-2-56332 BW1 MasterfonicsRunout A side, variant 1
76100-2-56339 BW1 mΛ MasterfonicsRunout B side, variant 1
76100-2-56332 BW MasterfonicsRunout A side, variant 2
76100-2-56339-BW MasterfonicsRunout B side, variant 2
2 56332 6170 077Side A Label
2 56339 6170 077Side B Label
76100-2-56332-PRC-RI-I-I MasterfonicsA-side Runout
76100-2-56339-PRCI-RI-I-I MasterfonicsB-side Runout
2 56332 6170 077A-side Label
2 56339 6170 077B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | Mercury 6170077First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Mercury 6170 077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Mercury M 76100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | Mercury 6170 077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Mercury 61 70 077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Mercury 76100 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Mercury 76100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Mercury 76100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Mercury 76100First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | US | Mercury 76100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Mercury 76100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Darlin' are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Canada, Portugal and more. One of them is Mercury 76100, released March 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 76100, 76100 DJ, 6170 077, M 76100) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 76100-2-56332 BW1 Masterfonics and 76100-2-56339 BW1 mΛ 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.
