Vinyl pressings
by Rush · 1975
Caress Of Steel 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.
13 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
SRM-1-1046 A-CAN1 MASTERDISK G.K.Side A runout variant 1
SRM-1-1046 B-CAN1 MASTERDISK G.K.Side B runout variant 1
SRM-1-1046 A-CAN1 MASTERDISK G.K. QSide A runout variant 2
SRM-1-1046 B-CAN1 MASTERDISK G.K. QSide B runout variant 2
9100018 1v//1 420 05 11 ISide A Runout Stamped Variant 1
9100018 2v//1 420 05 11 23Side B Runout Stamped Variant 1
9100018 1Y//1 420 05 11 6Side A Runout Stamped Variant 2
9100018 2Y//1 420 05 11 25Side B Runout Stamped Variant 2
SRM-1-1046 A3Side A etched, variant 1
SRM-1-1046 B3Side B etched, variant 1
S SRM-1-1046 A5Side A etched, variant 2
S SRM-1-1046 B6Side B etched, variant 2
9100018 1//1 420 05Side A stamped runout variation 1
9100018 2//1 420 05Side B stamped runout variation 1
9100018 1Y//1 420 05 113Side A stamped runout variation 2
9100018 2Y//1 420 05 116Side B stamped runout variation 2
9100018 1 Y // 1 420 05 1 1 21Runout side A
9100018 2 Y // 1 420 05 1 1 18Runout side B
9100 011.1Side A label
9100 011.2Side B label
SRM-1-1046 A2 CTA side runout etched - variant 1
SRM-1-1046 B1B side runout etched - variant 1
T1 SRM-1-1046 CT BA side runout etched, 'B' stamped - variant 2
T1 SRM-1-1046 B1 CT BB side runout etched, '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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Brazil | Mercury 6338 600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7066First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 600First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Mercury 9100 018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Mercury 9100 018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Mercury 9100 018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1975 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-1046 / Mercury SRM 1 1046First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1982 | Brazil | Mercury 6338 600LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Brazil | Mercury 6338 600LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury PRICE 20 / Mercury 9100 018LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury PRICE 20 / Mercury 9100 018LP, Album, Reissue, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 422-822 543-1 M-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 422-822 543-1 M-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | Mercury 422-822 543-1 M-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Brazil | Mercury 6338 600LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | USA & Canada | Not On Label (Rush) B0022365-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2015 | Europe | Mercury 4711570 / Anthem 4711570LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2015 | USA & Canada | Mercury B0022365-01 / Anthem B0022365-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | USA & Canada | Mercury B0022365-01 / UMe B0022365-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2016 | Europe | Not On Label (Rush)LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Anthem ANR-1-603 / Anthem ANR - 1603LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Mercury 4711570 / Anthem 4711570LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Mercury 6338 600 / Mercury 6338 600..26LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Mercury 6338 600 / Mercury 6338 600..26LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Mercury 6338 600LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 600LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light 131LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury B0022365-01 / Universal Music B0022365-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-1046LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
63 vinyl pressings of Caress Of Steel are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1975 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Canada, UK, US, Brazil and more. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-1046, released September 24, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-1046, 9100 018, 6338 600, RJ-7066) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRM-1-1046 A-CAN1 MASTERDISK G.K. and SRM-1-1046 B-CAN1 MASTERDISK G.K.. 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.
