Vinyl pressings
by Martin Briley · 1983
The Salt In My Tears was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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.
812-165-7-2-57100-BW Future Disc EDPA-Side Runout Etching
EDP 812-165-7-2-57108-BWB-Side Runout Etching
2-57100A-Side Label
2-57108B-Side Label
2-57100A Side Label
2-57108B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Attic AT 289First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 812 055-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Mexico | Mercury S/N-346First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Mercury 812 055-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Peru | Mercury F - MER 8120557.1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury MER 147 / Phonogram 814 428-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 812 165-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1983 | US | Mercury MK 233First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 812 165-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 812 165-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 812 165-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | Mercury MK 233First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Salt In My Tears are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Mercury 812 165-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 812 165-7, MK 233, 812 165-7 DJ, MER 147) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 812-165-7-2-57100-BW Future Disc EDP and EDP 812-165-7-2-57108-BW. 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.
