Europe
1987- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 888 763-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
888 763 7 1w 1 ℗1987 670 06Runout A, stamped
888 763 7 2w 1 ℗1987 670 06Runout B, stamped
888 763-7.1Label A
888 763-7.2Label B
Vinyl pressings
Paper In Fire
by John Cougar Mellencamp · 1987
23 pressings12 countriesBlues RockClassic RockRock
Paper In Fire 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Paper In Fire
22 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.
Europe
1987- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 888 763-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
888 763 1 1M 1 P 1987 670 04 11 1Side A runout, variant 1
888 763 1 2M 1 11 1Side B runout, variant 1
888 763 1 1M 1 P 1987 670 04 11 4Side A runout, variant 2
888 763 1 2M 1 670 04 11 4Side B runout, variant 2
UK
1987- Label and catalog number
- Mercury JCMX 8Mercury 888 763-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
*JCMX - 8 A 1* MTSide One
*DCMX - 8 B 1* MT PEDROSide Two
UK
1987- Label and catalog number
- Mercury JCM 8Mercury 888 763-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · silver injection label
- Runout / matrix
JCM-8-A-1 * MT PEDROa side, etched
JCM-8-B-1 * MT PEDROb side, etched
US
1987- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 888 763-7
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · 49 - Specialty Pressing
- Runout / matrix
888 763-72-59156-SP-DMM 1-1 PrecisionRunout side A etched
888 763-7-2-59157-SP-DMM 1-1 PrecisionRunout side B etched
2-59156Label side A
2-59157Label side B
US
1987- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 888 763-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Carrollton Pressing
- Runout / matrix
888 763-72-59156-SP-DMM 1-1SM1- SP-CBS Precision A3A-side etched
2-59156A-side label
2-59157B-side label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 23 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s22 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 763-7 / Riva 888 763-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 763-7 / Riva 888 763-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury MER 108First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury DJM 236First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Ecuador | Mercury 45-70110 / Mercury 888 763-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 763-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 763-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Mercury 888 763-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 763-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 763-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 763-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-247First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | South Africa | Mercury PD 2554First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Mercury 888 763-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury JCMX 8 / Mercury 888 763-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-8237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- APaper In Fire3:53
- BNever Too Old3:45
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Paper In Fire are there?
23 vinyl pressings of Paper In Fire are listed here, from 12 countries.
When was Paper In Fire first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is Mercury 888 763-7.
How do I tell if my copy of Paper In Fire is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 888 763-7, 888 763-1, JCMX 8, JCM 8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 888 763 7 1w 1 ℗1987 670 06 and 888 763 7 2w 1 ℗1987 670 06. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Paper In Fire on vinyl worth?
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.
