Vinyl pressings
by Cinderella · 1988
Gypsy Road was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. 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 1988, the album's first year, in 6 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.
VER - 40 - A 1 → DAMONT L21124Runout etched side A, Variant 1
VER - 40 - B 1 → =| DAMONT L21125Runout etched side B, Variant 1
VER-40-A1 DAMONT L21124 1Runout etched side A [DAMONT is 180° / "1" is 90°], Variant 2
VER-40-B1 DAMONT L21125 F 1Runout etched side B [DAMONT and "F" are 180° / "1" is 90°], Variant 2
ORLAKE VERX 940 A2Side 1
VERX 940 B2 ORLAKESide 2
SRC 874-578-72-59763-SP 1-1 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
SRC 874-578-7-2-89649-SP 1-1 STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
2-59763A-Side Label
89-649B-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury DJM 267First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury 76273First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 870 502-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-268First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Mercury 870-502-1First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | UK | Vertigo VERXG 40 / Vertigo 870 598-1First year12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | UK | Vertigo VER 40First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | UK | Vertigo VERX 40 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Vertigo VERX 40 / Vertigo 870502-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury PRO 587-1First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 874 578 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 874 578 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1988 | UK | Vertigo VER 40 / Vertigo 870502-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Mercury 870 502-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Gypsy Road are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Vertigo VER 40, released July 25, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VER 40, VERXG 40, VERX 40, VERX 40 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VER - 40 - A 1 → DAMONT L21124 and VER - 40 - B 1 → =| DAMONT L21125. 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.
