Vinyl pressings
by Ian Hunter · 1989
Y U I Orta was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
422-838-973-1-AS-SP-DMM STERLING SP 1-1Runout side A, variant 1
422-838-973-1-BS-SP-DMM SP 1-2Runout side B, variant 1
422-838-973-1-AS-SP-DMM 4̶2̶2̶-̶8̶3̶8̶-̶9̶7̶3̶-̶1̶-̶A̶-̶D̶M̶M̶ STERLING SP 1-1Runout side A, variant 2
4̶2̶2̶-̶8̶3̶8̶-̶9̶7̶3̶-̶1̶-̶B̶-̶D̶M̶M̶ 422-838-973-1-BS-SP-DMM SP1-2Runout side B, variant 2
838 9731 A-2 U-1-Side A
838 9731 B-2 U-1-Side B
422-838-973-1-AS-SP-DMM STERLING SP 1-1Side 1
422-838-973-1-BS-SP-DMM SP 1-2Side 2
Stu 8389 731 A-2 U-1-Side A runout stamped
8389731 B-2U--1-Side B runout stamped
838 973-1.1Label side A
838 973-1.2Label side B
838973-1A SnB 230 (CR)Side A, Variant 1
838973-1B SnB 230 (CR)Side B, Variant 1
838973-1A SnB 230 EL (CR)Side A, Variant 2
838973-1B SnB 230 EL (CR)Side B, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Unknown | Mercury 838 973-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Australia | Mercury 838 973-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Mercury 838 973-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Mercury 838 973-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Mercury 838 973-1 / Mercury 838973-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Mercury 838 973-1First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 838 973-1 / Mercury 422 838 973 Q-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 422 838 973-1Q-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 838 973-1 / Mercury 422 838 973-Q1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 838 973-1First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | South Africa | Mercury STARL 5608LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Y U I Orta are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1989 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Mercury 838 973-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 838 973-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 422-838-973-1-AS-SP-DMM STERLING SP 1-1 and 422-838-973-1-BS-SP-DMM SP 1-2. 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.
