Vinyl pressings
by Hear'n Aid · 1986
Hear 'n Aid was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 18 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.
826 044 1 1Y 1 ℗1986 670 04 11 16Runout side A, variant 1
826 044 1 2Y 1 ℗1986 670 04 12 11Runout side B, variant 1
826 044 1 1Y 1 ℗1986 670 04 1 24Runout side A, variant 2
826 044 1 2Y 1 ℗1986 670 04 1 17Runout side B, variant 2
VERH 35 A // 1 ∇ 420T 11 1 JASide A, variant 1
VERH 35 B // 2 ∇ 420T 11 2Side B, variant 1
JA VERH 35 A // 2 ∇ 420T 11 1Side A, "JA" upside down, variant 2
VERH 35 B // 2 ∇ 420T 11 2Side B, variant 2
422826 044-1-AS-41 STERLING JAZA side etched
A- ◁ 422826 044 AS-HRMSide A etched
STERLINGSide A stamped
A-2 ◁ 422826 044-1-BS-RCASide B etched
STERLINGSide B stamped
_A_ I> 422826 044-1-AS-HRMSide One etched
STERLINGSide One stamped
A2 I> 422826044-1-BS-RCASide Two etched
STERLINGSide Two stamped
A- I> 422 826 044 AS 1 HRM STERLINGSide A
A2 I> 422 826 044-1-BS-RCA STERLINGSide B
STERLING A- I> 422826 044-1-AS-HRMSide A (2nd variation)
STERLING E- I> 422826 044-1-BS-HRM2Side B (2nd variation)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Australia | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Brazil | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Finland | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 826 044-1 / Mercury 826 044-1QFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37214First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Israel | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Italy | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Japan | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Mexico | Mercury LPR-19141 / Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Portugal | Mercury 826 044-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
23 vinyl pressings of Hear 'n Aid are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 826 044-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 826 044-1, VERH 35, 422-826 044-1 M-1, 826 044-1 M-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 826 044 1 1Y 1 ℗1986 670 04 11 16 and 826 044 1 2Y 1 ℗1986 670 04 12 11. 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.
