Vinyl pressings
by Vanilla Fudge · 1984
Mystery 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.
11 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ST-C-845425-CVariant 1, side 1
ST-C-845426-CVariant 1, side 2
ST-C-845425-C R/S Alsdorf 790149-1 A2 STERLING D1 1-5 SRCVariant 2, side 1
ST-C-845426-C R/S Alsdorf 790149-1 B2 STERLING 13 1-3 SRCVariant 2, side 2
R/S Alsdorf 790149-1 A2 STERLING 1•5 28 [SRC logo] ST-C•845425-CSide A runout
R/S Alsdorf 790149-1 B2 GB 19 STERLING 1•3 ST-C-845426-C [SRC logo]Side B runout
ST-C-845425-ARSide A Label
ST-C-845426-ARSide B Label
SRCStamped in runouts
ST-C-845425-C STERLING 1-2 SRCSide A runout
ST-C-845426-C SRC STERLING 1-1Side B runout
ST-C-845425-SPSide A label
A MX209132 790149-1-1Side 1
A MX209132 790149-1-2Side 2
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 | ATCO Records 90149-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | ATCO Records 25.005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | ATCO Records 79 01491First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | ATCO Records 790 149-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | ATCO Records P-11501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | ATCO Records P-11501First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | ATCO Records 790 149-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | ATCO Records 790 149-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | ATCO Records 90149-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | ATCO Records 90149-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | ATCO Records 90149-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Europe | ATCO Records 790 149-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Mexico | Atlantic LWA-6425LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | ATCO Records 790 149-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Mystery are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is ATCO Records 790 149-1, released June 1, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 790 149-1, 90149-1, 25.005, 79 01491) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-C-845425-C and ST-C-845426-C. 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.
