Vinyl pressings
by Kevin Rowland · 1982
Too-Rye-Ay was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 19 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.
MER 005 A // 5 ∇ 420 RSide A runout, stamped, variant 1
MERS 005 B // 2 ∇ 420 RSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
MER 005 A // 5 ∇ 420 R 1 1 2 2Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
MERS 005 B // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1 3Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
MERS 005 A // 4 ∇ 420 W 1 1 15 PP.Runout Side A, variant 1, 'PP.' is etched
MERS 005 B // 4 ∇ 420 W 1 1 23Runout Side B, variant 1
MERS 005 A // 4 ∇ 420 W 1 1 31 PP.Runout Side A, variant 2, 'PP.' is etched
MERS 005 B // 4 ∇ 420 W 13 2Runout Side B, variant 2
MERS 005 A//4▽420 W 1 1 32 PP.Side A runout, variant 1
MERS 005 B//2▽420 R 13 4 2Side B runout, variant 1
MERS 005 A//4▽420 W 1 1 6 PP.Side A runout, variant 2
MERS 005 B//2▽420 R 13 4 1Side B runout, variant 2
MER 005 A // 5 ▽ 420 R 1 1Side A
MERS 005 B // 5 ▽ 420 R 1 1Side B
SRM-1-4069-AS-HRM Masterdisk HW A3 <-->Side A, Etched, Variant 1
SRM-1-4069-BS-HRM Masterdisk HW A4 <-->Side B, Etched, Variant 1
SRM-1-4069-AS-HRM Masterdisk HW A-2 <-->Side A,Etched, Variant 2
SRM-1-4069-BS-HRM Masterdisk HW A-3 <-->Side B, Etched, Variant 2
SRM-1-4069-AS - PRC-C-1-1-1 HWSide 1, etched
SRM-1-4069-BS - PRC-C-1-1-1 HWSide 2, etched
MASTERDISKStamped both sides, just above HW etching
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australasia | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3318First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3318First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Mercury 6359 097LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | France | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Phonogram 32090-3 / Bertelsmann Club 32090-3LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1982 | Germany | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1982 | Germany | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Mercury MERS 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Mercury 6359 097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK & Europe | Mercury 3789427 / Mercury 378 942-7LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Worldwide | Mercury 06024388567400LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2022 | UK & Europe | Mercury 388 567-4 / UMC 388 567-4LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, LP, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, LP, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Remastered |
| 2022 | Worldwide | Mercury 388 567-6 / UMC 388 567-6LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2022 | Worldwide | Mercury 388 570-2LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Mercury 6359097LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
54 vinyl pressings of Too-Rye-Ay are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1982 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury MERS 5.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERS 5, MER 5, SRM-1-4069, 6359 097) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MER 005 A // 5 ∇ 420 R and MERS 005 B // 2 ∇ 420 R. 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.
