Vinyl pressings
by Moby · 1994
Hymn was first pressed on vinyl in 1994. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1994, the album's first year, in 3 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.
12 MUTE 161 - A2 THE EXCHANGE - NILZ/J.D. PR-m HVariant 1, side A
12 MUTE 161 - B1 PR-m OOVariant 1, side B
12 MUTE 161 - A2 THE EXCHANGE - NILZ/J.D. PR-m CVariant 2, side A
12 MUTE 161 - B1 PR-m CVariant 2, side B
L12 MUTE 161 - A1 THE EXCHANGE - NILZEtching runout side A
P12 MUTE 161 - B1 THE EXCHANGE - NILZ PR-mEtching runout side B
P 12 MUTE 161 - A1 PR-m U THE EXCHANGE - NiLZ.Runout side A
P 12 MUTE 161 - B1 THE EXCHANGE - NiLZ. PR-mRunout side B
ST-ED-5695-A-2 1-1 F/W RCE SRCRunout A, etched, exc. SRC, stamped
ST-ED-5695 B-1 1-1 F/W RCE SRCRunout B, etched, exc. SRC, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Germany | Mute INT 192.954First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1994 | Germany | Mute INT 192.955First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1994 | Germany | Mute INT 126.630 / Mute 12Mute 161First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1994 | Germany | Mute INT 126.631 / Mute Mute 161First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1994 | UK | Mute P12 MUTE 161 / Mute P12MUTE161First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1994 | UK | Mute L12 MUTE 161First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1994 | UK | Mute PL12 MUTE 161 / Mute PL12MUTE161First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1994 | UK | Mute L12 MUTE 161 / Mute 12 MUTE 161First year12" | 12" |
| 1994 | US | Elektra ED 5695First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1994 | UK | Mute 12 MUTE 161First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Mute L12 MUTE 16112", Single Sided, Repress | 12", Single Sided, Repress |
| ? | UK | Mute L12 MUTE 16112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Mispress, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Mispress, Repress |
12 vinyl pressings of Hymn are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1994, in UK, US, Germany. One of them is Mute 12 MUTE 161, released May 16, 1994.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 MUTE 161, L12 MUTE 161, P12 MUTE 161, PL12 MUTE 161) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 MUTE 161 - A2 THE EXCHANGE - NILZ/J.D. PR-m H and 12 MUTE 161 - B1 PR-m OO. 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.
