Vinyl pressings
by Swing Out Sister · 1987
It's Better To Travel 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.
30 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 21 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.
TOWNHOUSESides A & B, runout etched, all variants
OUTLP 1 A//2▽420 H 11 2 TOWNHOUSESide A, runout stamped with TOWNHOUSE etching, variant 1
OUTLP 1 B//3▽420 H 5 1 9 TOWNHOUSESide B, runout stamped with TOWNHOUSE etching, variant 1
OUTLP 1 A//2▽420 H 11 15 TOWNHOUSESide A, runout stamped with TOWNHOUSE etching, variant 2
OUTLP 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 5 TOWNHOUSESide A runout
OUTLP 1 B // 3 ▽ 420 H 5 3 TOWNHOUSESide B runout
out lp 1 aSide A label
out lp 1 bSide B label
422832-213-1-AS-SP 1-1 STERLING SRCSide A runout
422832213-1-BS-SP 1-1 SRCSide B runout
422-832-213-1-AS-S HRM STERLING A-1Runout Side 1
422-832-213-1-BS-S-HRM STERLING A-1Runout Side 2
ᐉStamped on both Sides
STERLING SRC 422 832-213-1-AS-SP 1-1A-Side Runout Etching
SRC 422 832 213-1-BS-SP 1-1B-Side Runout Etching
832 213 1 1Y 2 670 04 1116Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
832 213 1 2Y 1 ℗1987 670 04 1112Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
832 213 1 1Y 2 670 04 1123Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
832 213 1 2Y 1 ℗1987 670 04 1118Runout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Mercury OUT LP 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 832 213-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Brazil | Mercury 832 213-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo 832 213-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo 832 213-1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Colombia | Mercury 832 213-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Mercury 832 213-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Mercury 832 213-1First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1987 | Ireland | Mercury out lp 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | Mercury 832 213-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Mercury 832 213-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-226First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Mexico | Mercury 832 213 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Mexico | Mercury LPR 19161 / Mercury 832 213 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Peru | Mercury PN-MER 8322131.3First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of It's Better To Travel are listed here, from 21 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Europe, South Africa and more. One of them is Mercury out lp 1, released May 11, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use out lp 1, 832 213-1 Q-1, 832 213-1, STARL 5467) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TOWNHOUSE and OUTLP 1 A//2▽420 H 11 2 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
