Vinyl pressings
by New Birth · 1975
Dream Merchant was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
BDAS-470-A ➀ MR △97375Variant 1 Runout A
BDAS 470-B ➁ MR △97375-XVariant 1 Runout B
BDAS-470-A ➁ MR △97375Variant 2 Runout A
BDAS 470-B ➁ MR △97375-XVariant 2 Runout B
BDAS-470-A p [artisan logo]A-Side Runout Etching
p BDAS-470-A x [artisan logo]B-Side Runout Etching
BDAS 470 AA-Side Label
BDAS 470 BB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Buddah Records 2011 288First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Buddah Records BDA 470XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Jamaica | Buddah Records BDA 470First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | US | Buddah Records BDA-470-NFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Buddah Records BDA 470First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1975 | US | Buddah Records BDA-470-NFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Buddah Records BDA-470-NFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Buddah Records BDS 434First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | Buddah Records BDS 434First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Buddah Records BDS 434First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Dream Merchant are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Buddah Records BDA-470-N.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BDA-470-N, BDA 470, BDS 434, 2011 288) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BDAS-470-A ➀ MR △97375 and BDAS 470-B ➁ MR △97375-X. 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.
