Vinyl pressings
by John Parr · 1985
St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) 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.
35 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
SLM Δ9876-X 1- STA-47962-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-14458-2 STERLINGRunout, side A
SLM Δ9876 1- STA-47961-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-14457-2 STERLINGRunout, side B
ST-A-47961-ARCenter label, side A
ST-A-47962-ARCenter label, side B
SRC STA-47961-1 1-2 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
SRC STA-47962-1 1-2 STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
SRC STA-47961-1 1-1 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
SRC STA-47962-1 1-1 STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
STA-47961-1 1-2 STERLING [SRC logo]Side A runout etched; STERLING, [SRC logo] stamped
STA-47962-1 1-3 STERLING [SRC logo]Side B runout etched; STERLING, [SRC logo] stamped
ST-A-47961-SPSide A label
ST-A-47962-SPSide B label
SRC STA-47961-1 STERLINGA-Side Runout
SRC STA-47962-1 STERLINGB-Side Runout
ST-A-47961-SPA-Side Label
ST-A-47962-SPB-Side Label
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 | Australia | Mercury 884 003-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 95417First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 884 003-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 884 118-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 884 118-1 / Mercury 884 118-1 QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 884 003-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | London Records LON 73First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Mercury 884 003-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Jamaica | Mercury 884 003-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 15PP-52First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 15PP-52First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Mexico | Mercury 3083 / Mercury 884 118-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 884 118-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 884 003-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 884 003-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-7617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
37 vinyl pressings of St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) are listed here, from 20 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Spain, Japan and more. One of them is Atlantic 7-89541.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-89541, PR 739, LONX 73, LON 73) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SLM Δ9876-X 1- STA-47962-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-14458-2 STERLING and SLM Δ9876 1- STA-47961-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-14457-2 STERLING. 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.
