Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1983
In A Big Country was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 15 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.
COUNT 312 A//1∇420 H 11 1 TOWN HOUSERunout side A, variant 1
COUNT 312 B//2∇420 H 11 1 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, variant 1
COUNT 312 A//2∇420 H 11 3 TOWN HOUSERunout side A, variant 2
COUNT 312 B//2∇420 H 11 2 TOWN HOUSERunout side B, variant 2
COUNT + 313 + A ORLAKESide A Runout, etched
TOWN HOUSESide A Runout, stamped
COUNT + 313 + B2 ORLAKESide B Runout, etched
TOWN HOUSESide B Runout, stamped
COUNT 3 A // 5 ▽ 420 H 1 2 2 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, Variant 1
COUNT 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 1 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, Variant 1
COUNT 3 A // 4 ▽ 420 H 1 1 1 4 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, Variant 2
COUNT 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 2 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, Variant 2
COUNT 3-A3 I DAMONT. L TOWN HOUSERunout A, variant 1
COUNT 3 B̶I̶G̶ ̶C̶O̶U̶N̶T̶R̶Y̶ B¹ I DAMONT. J TOWN HOUSERunout B, variant 1
COUNT 3-A3 I DAMONT. T TOWN HOUSERunout A, variant 2
COUNT 3 B̶I̶G̶ ̶C̶O̶U̶N̶T̶R̶Y̶ B¹ I DAMONT. S TOWN HOUSERunout B, variant 2
COUNT 3 A // 5 ▽ 420 H ƎS∩OH NMO⊥Runout side A
COUNT 3 B // 2▽420 H ƎS∩OH NMO⊥Runout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo DJV 118First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2329First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2329First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Mercury 6837 824First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 812 467-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint |
| 1983 | Italy | Mercury 812 467-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-111First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-111First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Mexico | Mercury S/N-399First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 812 467-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 812 467-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Mercury 812 467-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Peru | Mercury F-MER 8124677.1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Peru | Mercury F-MER 8124677.1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Peru | Mercury F-MER 8124677.1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Phonogram COUNT 312 / Phonogram 812 467-112", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
41 vinyl pressings of In A Big Country are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Ireland, Australasia and more. One of them is Phonogram COUNT 312, released May 20, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use COUNT 312, COUNT 313, COUNT 3, Count 312) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, COUNT 312 A//1∇420 H 11 1 TOWN HOUSE and COUNT 312 B//2∇420 H 11 1 TOWN HOUSE. 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.
