Vinyl pressings
by Central Line · 1983
Surprise Surprise 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.
10 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MERX 133 A//4∇420 R 11A Side, Variant 1
MERX 133 B//5∇420 R 11 1B Side, Variant 1
MERX 133 A//4∇420 R 11 2A Side, Stamped, Variant 2
MERX 133 B//6∇420 R 11 4B Side, Stamped, Variant 2
MER 133 A//2▽420 R ARUN 11 1Side A runout
MER 133 B//3▽420 R 11 2Side B runout
MER 133 A⁴ ARUN DAMONT CHand Etched Runout, Side A
MER 133 B⁴ 1 DAMONT SHand Etched Runout, Side B
003 611070 7// 1 380 POLYGRAMRunout side A
003 611070 7// 2 380 POLYGRAMRunout side B
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 | France | Mercury 811 071-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | France | Mercury 811 070-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Ireland | Mercury MER 133First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Italy | Mercury 811 070-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 811 071-1First year12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 811 070-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury MERX 133 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury MER 133First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury MERX 133First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury MER 133 / Mercury MER133First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 134-112", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 134-112", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 818 949-7 DJ7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 880 134-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 818 949-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Surprise Surprise are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, France, Ireland, Italy and more. One of them is Mercury MERX 133, released March 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERX 133, MER 133, MERX 133 DJ, 811 071-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERX 133 A//4∇420 R 11 and MERX 133 B//5∇420 R 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.
