Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1984
Steeltown 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.
37 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 20 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.
MERH 49 A // 3 ∇ ̷4̷ 130 1 1 MERH 49 STERLING Ⓗ 422-822 ̷4̷2̷2̷ 831-1-ASSide A runout
MERH 49 B // 3 ∇ 130 1 1 1 STERLING 422-822-831-1-BS MERH 49Side B runout
TOWNHOUSESide A+B runout etched, variants 1 to 10
MERH 49 A // 2 ∇ 420 HSide A runout stamped, variant 1
MERH 49 B // 2 ∇ 420 HSide B runout stamped, variant 1
MERH 49 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 11 14Side A runout stamped, variant 2
MERH 49 A // 2 ∇ 420 H 1 4 POLYGRAM A4 605Side A runout, stamped
MERH 49 B // 1 ∇ 420 H 605 1 5 A2 POLGRAMSide B runout, stamped
TOWNHOUSESide A & B runout, etched
MERH 49 A//1∇420 H TownHouse PY1 (Stamped over TownHouse)Runout side A
MERH 49 B//2∇420 H 11(Stamped) TownHouse S (Stamped / inverted)Runout side B
MERH 49 A//1∇420 HRunout side A
422 822-831-1-AS-HRM2 B-1 > STERLING ⒽSide A runout
422-822-831-1-BS-HRM2 STERLING Ⓗ B-2 >Side B runout
A-2 ᐈ 422 822 831-1-AS-HRM STERLING ⒽVariant 2: Side A runout
A- ᐈ 422 822-831-1-BS-HRM STERLING ⒽVariant 2: Side B runout
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 | Canada | Vertigo VOG 1 3343First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 822 831-1 / Mercury 822831/1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1984 | Hong Kong | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Italy | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Mexico | Mercury LPR-19113 / Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1984 | Portugal | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | Mercury 822 831-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | Mercury STAR 5379First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Mercury 5348052 / Universal UMC 5348052LP, Album, Deluxe Edition | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | UMC UMCLP019 / Mercury UMCLP019LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light 137LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Mercury MERH 49 / Mercury 822 831-1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
44 vinyl pressings of Steeltown are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1984 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Mercury MERH 49, released October 19, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERH 49, MERH 49 (822 831-1), 422-822 831-1 M1, 422-822 831-1 M-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERH 49 A // 3 ∇ ̷4̷ 130 1 1 MERH 49 STERLING Ⓗ 422-822 ̷4̷2̷2̷ 831-1-AS and MERH 49 B // 3 ∇ 130 1 1 1 STERLING 422-822-831-1-BS MERH 49. 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.
