Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1984
Where The Rose Is Sown 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.
21 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
MER 185 A // 3 ▽ 420 H 11 TOWNHOUSERunout area side A, variant 1
MER 185 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 11Runout area side B, variant 1
MER 185 A // 3 ▽ 420 H 1 2 6 TOWNHOUSERunout side A stamped & etched, variant 2
MER 185 B // 2 ▽ 420 H 1 2 5Runout side B stamped, variant 2
MER - 185 - A3 MT DAMONT TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 1
MER - 185 - B3 2 TOWNHOUSE MT. DAMONT TSide B runout, variant 1
MER - 185 - A3 2 MT. DAMONT TOWNHOUSE HSide A runout, variant 2
MER - 185 - B3 2 TOWNHOUSE MT. DAMONT NSide B runout, variant 2
MERX 185 A//1 ▽420 H 11 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
Stay AliveSide A runout, etched, variant 1
MERX 185 B//2 ▽420 H 12 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
MERX 185 A//1 ▽420 H 11 2Side A runout, stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australasia | Mercury 880 433-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | Mercury 880 433-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Vertigo SOVPX 2348First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2348First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 880 433-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 455-1QFirst year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 455-7Q / Mercury 880 455-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Mercury MER 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 880 433-1First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 880 433-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MERX 185First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MER 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MERX 185 / Mercury 880 433-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MER 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | US | Mercury PRO 324-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
22 vinyl pressings of Where The Rose Is Sown are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Mercury MER 185, released November 16, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MER 185, MERD 185, MERX 185, 880 412-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MER 185 A // 3 ▽ 420 H 11 TOWNHOUSE and MER 185 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 11. 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.
