Vinyl pressings
by David Essex · 1982
A Winter's Tale was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
MER 127 A // 2 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 2 6 FOR YVONNE - BILBO TAPE ONERunout, A-side, stamped, etched variant 1
MER 127 B // 2 ∇ 420 T 1 2 3 BILBO TAPE ONERunout, B-side, stamped, etched variant 1
MER 127 A // 1 ▽ 420 T FOR YVONNE - BILBO TAPE ONESide A runout stamped, etched variant 2
MER 127 B // 1 ▽ 420 T BILBO TAPE ONESide B runout stamped, etched variant 2
MER 127 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 3 FOR YVONNE - BILBO TAPE ONERunout, A-side, stamped, etched
MER 127 B // 2 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 1 0 BILBO TAPE ONERunout, B-side, stamped, etched
MER 127 A // 1 ▽ 420 T 1 1 1 FOR YVONNE - BILBO.TAPEONESide A runout
MER 127 B // 1 ▽ 420 T 1 1 8 BILBO.TAPEONESide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Mercury 6059 599First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Mercury 6059 599First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Ireland | Mercury MER 127First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Mercury 6059 599First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Mercury MER 127 / Mercury 6059 599First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Mercury MER 127 / Mercury 6059 599First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Mercury MER 127 / Mercury 6059 599First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | South Africa | Mercury TOS 14237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Mercury 60 59 5997", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Polydor 810 858-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of A Winter's Tale are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Mercury MER 127, released November 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MER 127, 6059 599) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MER 127 A // 2 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 2 6 FOR YVONNE - BILBO TAPE ONE and MER 127 B // 2 ∇ 420 T 1 2 3 BILBO TAPE ONE. 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.
