Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1986
The Teacher 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.
13 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 8 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.
BIGCX2A// 1▽420 H 11 1Side A runout, stamped - Variant 1
BIGCX2B// 1▽420 H 11 1Side B runout, stamped - Variant 1
BIGCX2A// 1▽420 H 11 4Side A runout, stamped - Variant 2
BIGCX2B// 1▽420 H 11 2Side B runout, stamped - Variant 2
BIGC 2 A // 1 ▼420 H 1 1 1Runout (Stamped) Side A
BIGC 2 B // 1 ▼420 H 1 1 1Runout (Stamped) Side B
BIGC 2 A // 2 ▽ 420 T ǝuoƎԀ∀⊥ oᗺןıᗺRunout side A variant 1
ǝuo ƎԀ∀⊥˙ᗺᗡ BIGC 2 B // 2 ▽ 420 TRunout side B variant 1
BIGC 2 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 2 5Runout side A variant 2
ǝuo ƎԀ∀⊥˙ᗺᗡ BIGC 2 B // 2 ▽ 420 T 1 1 4Runout side B variant 2
BIGCX 2 A//2▽420T 11 1 BilBo.TapeOneSide A runout
BIGCX2B// 1▽420H 13 5Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 884 873-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Mercury 884 865-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 884 873-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1986 | Ireland | Mercury BIGC 2First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Mercury 884 865-7 / Phonogram 884 865-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Mercury 884 865-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | South Africa | Mercury TOS 1603 / Mercury 884 865-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury BIG C 2First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury BIG C 2 / Mercury BIGC 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury BIG C 2 / Mercury 884 865-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury BIGC 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury BIG CX2First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury BIG CX 2First year12", Single | 12", Single |
13 vinyl pressings of The Teacher are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Australasia, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Mercury BIG CX 2, released June 16, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BIG CX 2, BIG C 2, BIGC 2, BIG CX2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BIGCX2A// 1▽420 H 11 1 and BIGCX2B// 1▽420 H 11 1. 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.
