Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1986
The Seer 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.
38 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 26 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-87-A MERH 87 A // 3 ▽4̶2̶0̶ ̶ 130 11 STERLINGRunout side A variant 1
MERH-87-B ' MERH 87 B // 3 ▽ 130 STERLINGRunout side B variant 1
MERH-87-A MERH 87 A // 3 ▽4̶2̶0̶ ̶ 130 11 9 STERLINGRunout side A variant 2
MERH-87-B MERH 87 B // 3 ▽ 130 11 STERLINGRunout side B variant 2
MERH 87 A//4▽420 H 1 1 1Side A runout
MERH 87 B//4▽420 H 1 1 6Side B runout
MERH 87 A//4▽420 T 1 1 1 POUNDA TA1PESide A runout, variant 1
MERH 87 B//3▽420 H 1 1 1Side B runout, variant 1
MERH 87 A//5▽420T 1 1 5 POUNDA TA1PESide A runout, variant 2
MERH 87 B//5▽420T 1 3Side B runout, variant 2
MERH 87 A // 3 ▽4̶2̶0̶ ̶ 130 1 1 9 STERLING MERH-87-ARunout side A
MERH 87 B // 5 ▽ 420 T 1 1Runout side B
MERH 87 A//4▽420Side 1 runout, stamped
MERH 87 B//3▽130 MERH-87-B STERLINGSide 2 runout, stamped, etched
422-826-844-1-AS-HRM STERLING A- ᐉSide A runout, variant 1
422-826-844-1-BS-HRM STERLING B- ᐉSide B runout, variant 1
422-826-844-1-AS-HRM STERLING A- ᐉSide A runout, variant 2
422-826-844-1-BS-HRM STERLING A-3 ᐉSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | Mercury 27320 / Mercury 826 844-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Argentina | Mercury 27320 / Mercury 826 844-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Mercury 826 844-1First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1986 | Canada | Vertigo 826 844-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 826 844-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 826 844-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Finland | Mercury 826 844-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 826 844-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 826 844-1 Q / Mercury 826 844-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury 826 844-1First yearLP, Album, White Label, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, White Label, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury MERH 87 / PolyGram 8268441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Hong Kong | Mercury 826 844-1 / Mercury MERH 87First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Ireland | Mercury MERH 87First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | Mercury 826844-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Mercury 826 844-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2381 / Universal Music MOVLP2381LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | UMC UMCLP020LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
40 vinyl pressings of The Seer are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1986 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australasia, Japan and more. One of them is Mercury MERH 87, released July 14, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERH 87, 422-826 844-1 M-1, 422-826 844-1 M-1 DJ, 826 844-4 M-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERH-87-A MERH 87 A // 3 ▽4̶2̶0̶ ̶ 130 11 STERLING and MERH-87-B ' MERH 87 B // 3 ▽ 130 STERLING. 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.
