Vinyl pressings
by Rainbirds · 1987
Blueprint 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.
8 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 6 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.
888977-1 1VRunout side A, variant 1
888977-1 2YRunout side B, variant 1
888977-1 1 V 1 B HARunout side A, variant 2
888977-1 1 2 Y 1 J HARunout side B, variant 2
888977-7 1W HARunout side A, variant 1
888977-7 2W HARunout side B, variant 1
8̶ 888977-7 1W HA 1 GRunout side A, variant 2
888977-7 2W HA 1 FRunout side B, variant 2
P. CS-B III A C-PHO-8̶8̶8̶ ̶9̶7̶7̶ ̶-̶1̶A̶ ̶1̶Y̶ -2 870 275-1 1Y - 2 1ARunout A-side, variant 1
HA H 8̶8̶8̶9̶7̶7̶-̶1̶1̶ ̶2̶Y̶ 870275-1 2YRunout B-side, variant 1
O2 CS-B III A C-PHO-8̶8̶8̶ ̶9̶7̶7̶ ̶-̶1̶A̶ ̶1̶Y̶ -2 870 275-1 1Y - 2 1ARunout A-side, variant 2
HA 1 M 8̶8̶8̶9̶7̶7̶-̶1̶1̶ ̶2̶Y̶ 870275-1 2YRunout B-side, variant 2
MER 264 A-1U-1- 1Runout stamped side A
MER 264 B-1U-1- 1Runout stamped side B
MER 264-ALabel side A
MER 264-BLabel side B
PRO-652-1-2-59134-ES MASTERDISKSide 1
PRO-652-1-BS-ES MASTERDISKSide 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 | Australia | Mercury 888 977-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | France | Mercury 888 977-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 977-1 / Phonogram 888 977-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 977-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 870 275-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Mercury 870 275-1First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MER 264 / Mercury 888 977-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Mercury PRO 652-1First year12", Promo, EP, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, EP, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Mercury 888 977-77", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury MERX 264 / Mercury 888 977-112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Mercury 5853360 / Mercury 0060245853360610", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of Blueprint are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 888 977-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 888 977-1, 888 977-7, 870 275-1, MER 264) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 888977-1 1V and 888977-1 2Y. 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.
