Vinyl pressings
by Ohio Express · 1969
Mercy was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 8 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.
BDS-5037-A RL SSRunout A, etched - variant 1
BDS-5037-BRunout B, etched - variant 1
BDS-5037-ARunout A, etched - variant 2
BDS-5037-BRunout B, etched - variant 2
BDS-5037-A ARP RLRunout Side A
BDS-5037-B ARP RLRunout Side B
BDS 5037 ALabel Side A
BDS 5037 BLabel Side B
BDS-5037-A RL SSRunout side A, variant 1
BDS-5037-B RL SS ARC 4-20-69Runout side B, variant 1
BDS-5037-A ARC 10-3-9 RL SSRunout side A, variant 2
BDS-5037-B RL SSRunout side B, variant 2
BDS-5037-A RL SSSide A - etched
BDS-5037-B RL SSSide B - etched
BDS 5037 ALabel side A
BDS 5037 BLabel side B
A MX160041 BDS5037-1Side A stamped
A MX160042 BDS5037-2Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Buddah Records BDS 5037First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Brazil | Companhia Brasileira De Discos BULP 27.007 / Buddah Records BULP 27.007First yearLP | LP |
| 1969 | Canada | Buddah Records BDS 5037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | Buddah Records 203 027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Buddah Records K 109/7 / Buddah Records BDS 5037LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1969 | Spain | Buddah Records 203 027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Buddah Records BDS 5037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Buddah Records BDS 5037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Buddah Records BDS 5037First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Buddah Records BDS 5037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Uruguay | Buddah Records BDS 5037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | Buddah Records YS-2219-DAFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Buddah Records 203 027LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Venezuela | Buddah Records 5012LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Mercy are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Japan, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Buddah Records BDS 5037.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BDS 5037, YS-2219-DA, BULP 27.007, 203 027) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BDS-5037-A RL SS and BDS-5037-B. 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.
