Vinyl pressings
by Texas · 1991
Mothers Heaven was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. 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 1991, the album's first year, in 11 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.
848-578-A-1 -X-X 8485781 A-1U-1-2 MASTERDISK DSide A, variant 1
848-578-B-1 -X-X 8485781 B-1U-1-1 DSide B, variant 1
848-578-A-1-1̶ -̶ 8485781 A-1U-1- MASTERDISK DSide A, variant 2
848-578-B-1-1̶ -̶ 8485781 B-1U-1- DSide B, variant 2
848578-1 1 01 P1991A-side runout
848578-1 2 01 P1991B-side runout
848 578 1 S1 1 670 06 1115Side A runout, stamped
848 578 1 S2 1 670 06 1115Side B runout, stamped
MER848578B 3407RUN OUT SIDE B
MER848578A DT410 3407RUN OUT SIDE B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Argentina | Mercury 848 578-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Brazil | Mercury 848 578-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | Mercury 848 578-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Germany | Phonogram 848 578-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Greece | Mercury 848 578-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Greece | Mercury 848 578-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1991 | Portugal | Mercury 848 578-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | Portugal | Mercury 848 578-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | South Africa | Mercury STARL 5838First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | South Korea | Vertigo 510524-1 / RP 3021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Spain | Mercury 848 578-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1991 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 221856 / Mercury 221856First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | UK | Mercury 848 578-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Mothers Heaven are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in UK, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and more. One of them is Mercury 848 578-1, released September 1991.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 848 578-1, STARL 5838, 510524-1 / RP 3021, 221856) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 848-578-A-1 -X-X 8485781 A-1U-1-2 MASTERDISK D and 848-578-B-1 -X-X 8485781 B-1U-1-1 D. 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.
