Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1984
East Of Eden 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.
24 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 13 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.
MERX 175 A // 1 H 1 1 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
MERX 175 B // 1 H 1 1 6Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
MERX 175 A //2 H 1 1 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
MERX 175 B //1 H 11 2Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
MER 175 A//1 H 1 1 6 TOWNHOUSESide A runout variant 1
MER 175 B̶ B//1 H 13 4Side B runout variant 1
MER 175 A//1 H 11 5 TOWNHOUSESide A runout variant 2
MER 175 B̶ B//1 H 18 3Side B runout variant 2
MERX 175 A // 2 H TOWNHOUSE 11 4Side A runout, stamped / etched
MERX 175 B // 2 H 1 1 4 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, stamped / etched
MER 175 A1 DREAMS STAY WITH YOU. Λ TOWNHOUSEA side runout, etched/stamped
MER 175 B1 ΛB side runout, etched/stamped
MER 175 A//1 H 12 2 Townhouse
MER 175 B B//1 13First B is crossed
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 | Australasia | Mercury 880 279-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Australia | Mercury 880 279-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Mercury 880 279-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 279-1QFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 279-7 / Mercury 880 279-7QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Mercury MER 175First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Mercury 880 279-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 880 279-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 880279-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Mercury 880 279-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | South Africa | Mercury TOS 1510 / Mercury 880279-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Mercury 880 279-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MER 175First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MERX 175First year12", Advance | 12", Advance |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MER 175 / Mercury 880 279-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of East Of Eden are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury MERX 175, released August 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERX 175, MER 175, MERP 175, MERXP 175) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERX 175 A // 1 H 1 1 1 and MERX 175 B // 1 H 1 1 6. 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.
