Vinyl pressings
by Spirit · 1984
The Thirteenth Dream was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, 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.
MERL 35 A//1 ▽420 V 1 1Runout A side variant 1
MERL 35 B//1 ▽420 V 1 1Runout B side variant 1
MERL 35 A//1 ▽420 V 1 1 1Runout A side variant 2
MERL 35 B//1 ▽420 V 1 1 1Runout B side variant 2
B-1 422-818-514-1-AS-HRM1 ᐉ FUTURE DISCSide A runout, variant 1
A- ᐉ 422-818514-1BS HRMSide B runout, variant 1
422-818-514-1-AS-HRM1 ᐉ FUTURE DISC B-1Side A runout, variant 2
422-818514-1BS HRM A-1 ᐉSide B runout, variant 2
422-818-514-1 AS-ALD O B-19589-ALD FUTURE DISC SLM-△7196 1 1-1Side A Etched
422-818-514-1 BS-ALD O B-19590-ALD SLM-△7196-X 1-1Side B Etched
HL-MRL-34-21-A-30-V-84Side A, etched
HL-MRL-34-21-B-30-V-84Side A, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-4099First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 821 439-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 818 514-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 818514-1 / Mercury MERL 35First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 818 514-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MERL 35First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MERL 35First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 422-818 514-1 M-1 / Mercury 818 514-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 422-818 514-1 M-1 / Mercury 818 514-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Bolivia | Mercury HL-MRS-34-21First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of The Thirteenth Dream are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Bolivia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury MERL 35.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERL 35, 422-818 514-1 M-1, HL-MRS-34-21, SRM-1-4099) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERL 35 A//1 ▽420 V 1 1 and MERL 35 B//1 ▽420 V 1 1. 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.
