Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1983
The Crossing 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.
50 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 21 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.
MERS 27 A//1▽420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped, variant 1
DREAMS STAY WITH YOUSide A runout, etched, variant 1
MERS 27 B//2▽420 H TOWNHOUSESide B runout, stamped, variant 1
MERS 27 A//1▽420 H 1 2 3 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped, variant 2
MERS 27 A//1∇420 H 1 2 1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, stamped, variant 1
MERS 27 B//2∇420 H 1 1 1 2 TOWN HOUSESide B runout, stamped, variant 1
MERS 27 A//1∇420 H 1 1 5 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, stamped, variant 2
MERS 27 B//2∇420 H 1 1 5 TOWN HOUSE DREAMS STAY WITH YOUSide B runout, stamped, variant 2
Side A: MERS 27 A//4 420 H TOWNHOUSE
Side B: MERS 27 B//1 420 H TOWNHOUSE 'DREAMS STAY WITH YOU'
Town HouseSide A, Runout
Dreams Stay With YouSide B, Runout
MERS 27 A // 1 ∇ 420 H 1 1 1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 1
MERS 27 B // 2 ∇ 420 H 1 1 1 TOWN HOUSE DREAMS STAY WITH YOUSide B runout, variant 1
MERS 27 A//1∇420 H 1 2 1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 2
MERS 27 B//2∇420 H 1 1 1 2 TOWN HOUSE DREAMS STAY WITH YOUSide B runout, variant 2
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 | Australasia | Mercury BIGA - 1 / Mercury BETA 1First yearLP, Album, 12", 45 RPM | LP, Album, 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australasia | Mercury BIGA - 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australasia | Mercury BIGA - 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Mercury BIGA - 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Mercury BIGA - 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Mercury 812 870-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 812 870-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 812 870-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 812 870-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Mercury 812 870-1First yearLP, Album, White Label, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, White Label, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Greece | Mercury 812870-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Hong Kong | Mercury 812 870-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | Mercury MERS 27 / Mercury 812 870-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Universal UMC 278 909-1 / Mercury 278 909-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP 2261 / Mercury MOVLP 2261LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | Mercury UMCLP018 / UMC UMCLP018LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light 637LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | South Korea | Not On Label 637LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Mercury 812 870-1 / Mercury 812 870-1 M-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
75 vinyl pressings of The Crossing are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Canada, Greece and more. One of them is Mercury MERS 27, released July 15, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERS 27, MERH 27, 812 870-1 M-1, 812 870-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERS 27 A//1▽420 H TOWNHOUSE and DREAMS STAY WITH YOU. 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.
