Vinyl pressings
by Berlin · 1986
Like Flames was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
7-28563-A-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-16669-SH1 Precision △ 14399 1-1A-Side Run Out, variant 1
7-28563-B-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-16670-SH2 Precision △ 14399-X 1-1B-Side Run Out, variant 1
7-28563-A-SH2 R-16669-SH2 Precision △ 14399 1-1A-Side Run Out
7-28563-B-SH1 R-16670-SH1 Precision △ 14399-X 1-1B-Side Run Out
SRC 7-28563-A-SR1 1-1 PrecisionA-Side Runout Etching
SRC 7-28563-B-SR1 1-1 PrecisionB-Side Runout Etching
7-28563-AA-Side Label
7-28563-BB-Side Label
PRO-A1-2572-SH1 B-25454-SH1 PRECISION ∆14397 1-1A-Side Runout
PRO-A2-2572-SH1 B-25455-SH1 PRECISION ∆14397-X 1-1B-Side Runout
MER-240-A2 POUNDA TA1PEA-side runout, etched
MER-240-B2 MTB-side runout, etched
MERD-240-A2 MTC-side runout, etched
MERD-240-B1 MTD-side runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 888 134-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 85637First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 85637First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 888 134-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 888 134-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 888 134-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Mercury 888 134-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Mercury 888 134-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Philippines | Mercury EP-MER-8525First year12", EP, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", EP, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-789First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | Mercury 888 134-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | South Africa | Mercury TOS 1615 / Mercury 888 134-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Mercury 888 134-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | Mercury 888 134-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MERD 240 / Mercury MER 240First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
27 vinyl pressings of Like Flames are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is Geffen Records 7-28563.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-28563, PRO-A-2572, 7-28563-DJ, MERD 240) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-28563-A-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-16669-SH1 Precision △ 14399 1-1 and 7-28563-B-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-16670-SH2 Precision △ 14399-X 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.
