Vinyl pressings
by Al Corley · 1984
Square Rooms 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.
30 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 14 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.
822 241 -1 1Y 320Runout side A, variant 1
822 241 -1 2Y 320Runout side B, variant 1
822 241 -1 1Y 320 1 ERunout side A, stamped, 'E' 90° rotated, variant 2
822 241 -1 2Y 320 1 BRunout side B, stamped, 'B' 90° rotated, variant 2
822 241 - 7 1W=2 3 20 H 1Runout A, variant 1
822 241 - 7 2W=2 3 20 1 ARunout B, variant 1
822 241 - 7 1W=2 3 20 C 1Runout A, variant 2
822 241 - 7 2W = 2 3 20 1 CRunout B, variant 2
POSP747 A//1▼420WSide A, machine stamped
PHILSide A, hand etched
POSP747 B//1▼420WSide B, machine 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 | Mercury 822 241-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Mercury MSX 76229First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Mercury MS 76229First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | Canada | Mercury MSX 76229First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Ecuador | Mercury 45-70082First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 822 241-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 822 241-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 822 241-1 / Mercury 822 241-1 QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 822 241-7 / Mercury 822 241-7 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Mercury 822 241-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Mercury 822 241-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-170First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-170First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 822 241-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Philippines | Mercury EP-MER-8505First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Mexico | Mercury LPE-307512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
35 vinyl pressings of Square Rooms are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1984 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 822 241-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 822 241-1, 822 241-7, POSPX 747, POSP 747) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 822 241 -1 1Y 320 and 822 241 -1 2Y 320. 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.
