UK
April 15, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 5Phonogram 812 108-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Silver Injection Labels
- Runout / matrix
IDEA 5 A // 4 ∇ 420 V 1 1 2Runout, A-side, stamped
IDEA 5 B // 2 ∇ 420 V 1 2 1Runout, B-side, stamped
Vinyl pressings
Pale Shelter
by Tears For Fears · 1983
22 pressings8 countriesNew WaveSynth-popElectronicRock
Pale Shelter was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Pale Shelter
22 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
UK
April 18, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 512Mercury 812 108-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
IDEA 512 A // 4 ▽420 V 11 3Side A, variant 1
IDEA 512 B//1▽420 V 1 1 2Side B, variant 1
IDEA 512 A // 10 ▽420 V 11 1Side A, variant 2
IDEA 512 B//1▽420 V 1 1 2Side B, variant 2
UK
April 18, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 5Mercury 812 108-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Large hole
UK
April 29, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 512Mercury 812 108-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
IDEA 512 A//11 ▽ 420 V 11 1Runout stamped side A, variant 1
IDEA 512 B//1▽420 V 1 1Runout stamped side B, variant 1
IDEA 512 A//11 ▽ 420 V 11 1Runout stamped side A, variant 2
IDEA 512 B//2▽420 V 1 1 1Runout stamped side B, variant 2
UK
April 29, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA W5Mercury 812 108-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition · White
- Runout / matrix
IDEA + 5 + A#̶̷̸̸̶̷̸Side A Hand etched
IDEA + 5 + BSide B Hand etched
ORLAKEBoth Sides Hand etched
UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA R5Mercury 812 108-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition · Red Transparent
- Runout / matrix
IDEA + 5 + A#̶̷̸̸̶̷̸Side A Hand etched
IDEA + 5 + B1Side B Hand etched
ORLAKEBoth Sides Hand etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 22 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s22 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | France | Mercury 812 108-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 812 108-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 812 108-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Mercury IDEA 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Mercury IDEA 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 812 108-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 812 108-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Mercury 812 108-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury IDEA R5 / Mercury 812 108-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury IDEA G5 / Mercury 812 108-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury IDEA B5 / Mercury 812 108-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Special Edition · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury IDEA 5 / Mercury 802 108-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury IDEA P5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury IDEA 5 / Phonogram IDEA 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Mercury idea 512 / Mercury 812 108-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- APale Shelter (Extended Version)
- B1Pale Shelter
- B2We Are Broken
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Pale Shelter are there?
22 vinyl pressings of Pale Shelter are listed here, from 8 countries.
When was Pale Shelter first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Mercury IDEA 5, released April 15, 1983.
How do I tell if my copy of Pale Shelter is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IDEA 5, IDEA 512, IDEA W5, IDEA R5) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IDEA 5 A // 4 ∇ 420 V 1 1 2 and IDEA 5 B // 2 ∇ 420 V 1 2 1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Pale Shelter on vinyl worth?
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.
