Vinyl pressings
by Men Without Hats · 1987
Pop Goes The World 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.
6 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 4 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.
832 730-1A SNB 230Side A Runout, Variant 1
832 730-1B 2 SNB 230Side B Runout, Variant 1
832·730-1A SNB 230 EL DM-5Side A Runout, Variant 2
832·730-1B·2 SNB 230 EL DM-7Side B Runout, Variant 2
422-832-730-1-AS-SP DMM 1-3 SP HRM Sterling IMP#2Side A runout etching, variant 1
422-832-730-1-BS-SP DMM 1-3 SP HRM Sterling imp#2Side B runout etching, variant 1
422-832-730-1-AS-SP DMM 1-1 SM1- SP-HRM STERLING IMP-SUB #1 1Side A runout, variant 2
422-832-730-1-BS-SP DMM 1̶-̶1̶ 1-3 SP-HRM STERLING IMP#2Side B runout, variant 2
422-832-730-1-AS-SP 1-1 SterlingEtched side A, variant 1
422-832-730-1-BS - SP 1̶-̶2̶ 1-1 SterlingEtched side B, variant 1
422-832-730-1-AS-SP SP 1-4 SterlingEtched side A, variant 2
422-832-730-1-BS - SP 1̶-̶4̶ 1-1 SterlingEtched side B, variant 2
422-832-730-1-AS-SP 1-1 SterlingSide A Runout Etched
422-832-730-1-BS-SP 1-1 SterlingSide B Runout Etched
832 730 1 1Y 1 ℗ 1987 670 06 1 13Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
832 730 1 2Y 1 ℗ 1987 670 06 113C14Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
832 730 1 1Y 1 ℗ 1987 670 06 1 23Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
832 730 1 2Y 1 ℗ 1987 670 06 113C12Runout side B, stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury 832 730-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Mercury 832 730-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 832 730-1 / Mercury 422 832 730-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 832 730-1 / Mercury 422 832 730-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 832 730-1 / Mercury 422 832 730-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 832 730-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Argentina | Mercury 832 730-1LP | LP |
| 1988 | Greece | Mercury 832 730-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Mexico | Mercury LPR-19174LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Peru | Mercury PN-MER 8327301.7LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Africa | Teal Trutone Music STARL5508 / Mercury 832 730-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Pop Goes The World are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Canada, US, Europe, Spain. One of them is Mercury 832 730-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 832 730-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 832 730-1A SNB 230 and 832 730-1B 2 SNB 230. 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.
