Vinyl pressings
by Danny Wilson · 1987
Mary's Prayer was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 11 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.
VS 934 A-1 U - 1- 4 - 1 D V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶Runout, stamped, side A
VS 934 B -1 U - 1- 1→ 19 D V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶Runout, stamped, side B
VS93412 V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶1̶2̶ A-1U-1-1- DRunout stamped side A, variant 1
VS 93412 V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶1̶2̶ B-1U-1-1- D TOWNHOUSERunout stamped side B, variant 1
VS 93412 V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶1̶2̶ A-1U-1-1- DRunout stamped side A, variant 2
VS 93412 V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶1̶2̶ B-1U-1-1- D TOWNHOUSERunout stamped/etched side B, variant 2
VS 93412 (VS 87812 crossed out) A-1U-1-1- DRun-out Side A
VS 93412 (VS 87812 crossed out) B-1U-1-1- D TOWNHOUSERun-out Side B
VS 93412 V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶1̶2̶ A-1U-1-1-1 DA-side runout, stamped
VS 93412 V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶1̶2̶ B-1U-1-1-4 DB-side runout, stamped
TOWNHOUSEB-side runout, etched
VS 934-12 DJ-AA-side label
VS 93412 V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶1̶2̶ A-1U-1-1-1 DA-side runout, stamped
VS 93412 V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶1̶2̶ B-1U-1-1-4 DB-side runout, stamped
TOWNHOUSEB-side runout, etched
VS 934-12 DJ-AA-side label
SRC STVR-51458-1 1-1 PrecisionRunout A etched (SRC stamp)
SRC STVR-51459-1 1-1 PrecisionRunout B etched (SRC stamp)
ST-VR-51458-SPLabel Side A
ST-VR-51459-SPLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin VS93412First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin VS934First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VS1376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 109 418First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 609 418-213 / Virgin 609 418First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 90298First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Virgin VS 934First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Virgin VS 934First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Virgin VS 934First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Mexico | Virgin RX-455First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 934First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Portugal | Edisom 505477 / Virgin 505477First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1987 | South Africa | Virgin VS 714First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin VS 934-12First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin VS 934-12 / Virgin VS93412First year12", Single | 12", Single |
36 vinyl pressings of Mary's Prayer are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS 934, released February 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 934, VS 934-12, VS 934-12 DJ, 7-99465) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 934 A-1 U - 1- 4 - 1 D V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶ and VS 934 B -1 U - 1- 1→ 19 D V̶S̶ ̶8̶7̶8̶. 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.
