Vinyl pressings
by Green On Red · 1985
No Free Lunch was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, 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.
MERM 78 A // 2 ▽ 420 H 1 1 5Variant 1 Side A stamped
MERM 78 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 1Variant 1 Side B stamped
MERM 78 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 1Variant 2 Side A stamped
MERM 78 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 2Variant 2 Side B stamped
B- 422 826 346-1 AS HRMSide A runout, etched
A- 422 826 346-1 BS HRMSide B runout, etched
STERLING [isosceles with a dot]Stamped Both Sides
422 826 346-1 AS ES Emw STERLINGSide A runout
422 826 346-1 BS ES Emw STERLINGSide B runout
826-346-1 A.Runout Side A Etched
826-346-1 B.Runout Side B Etched
MERM-2A SNB 230 E DM-1Variant 1 - runout side A, etched
MERM-2B SNB 230 E DM-2Variant 1 - runout side B, etched
MERM-2A SNB 230 EL DM-5Variant 2 - runout side A, etched
MERM-2B SNB 230 EL DM-5Variant 2 - runout side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australasia | Mercury 826 346-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Mercury MERM 78First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Mercury MERM 2First yearLP | LP |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 826 346-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | PolyGram 826346-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | PolyGram 826346-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | Italy | Mercury 826 346-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-183First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-183First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 826 346-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Mercury MERM 78First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Mercury MERM78LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 826 346-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-826 346-1First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 826 346-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-826 346-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 422-826 346-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
16 vinyl pressings of No Free Lunch are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury MERM 78.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERM 78, 826 346-1 M-1, 826 346-1, MERM 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERM 78 A // 2 ▽ 420 H 1 1 5 and MERM 78 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 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.
