Vinyl pressings
by The Call · 1983
Modern Romans 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.
15 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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.
422-810 307-1-AS-RE-HRM B-2 ⟷Variant 1 Side A, Etched
422-810 307-1-BS-RE-HRM B- ⟷Variant 1 Side B, Etched
422-810 307-1-BS STERLING C-I [elongated triangle]⟷Variant 2 Side B etched and Stamped
422-810 307-1-AS-RE-HRM B-1 ⟷Variant 3 Side A, Etched
B-1 422-810 307-7-AS-R5-HRMEtched in Runout area side A
B-1 422-810 307-7-BS-R5-HRMEtched in Runout area side B
(Side A etched) 422-810 307-1-AS-PRC-C-1-1-1
(Side B etched) 422-810 307-1-BS-PRC-C-1-1-1
422-810 307-1-AS-RE-PRC-C-1-1Side 1 runout (Etched)
422-810 307-1-BS-RE-PRC-C-1-1Side 2 runout (Etched)
422-810 307-1 M-1 ASSide A label
422-810 307-1 M-1 BSSide B label
422-810 307-1-AS-RE-HRM B-1 ⟷Side A runout, variant 1
422-810 307-1-BS-RE-HRM ⟷ B-1Side B runout, variant 1
422-810 307-1-AS-RE-HRM B-2 ⟷Side A runout
422 810 307-1 BS STERLING C-1 ᐉSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | Mercury 810 307-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australasia | Mercury 810 307-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-4072First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Mercury 810 307-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 810 307-1QFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Mercury 6337 263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 6337 263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 422-810 307-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 422-810 307-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 422-810 307-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 422-810 307-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 422-810 307-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 422-810 307-1 M-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 422-810 307-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Mercury 422-810 307-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Modern Romans are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Germany, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury 422-810 307-1 M-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 422-810 307-1 M-1, 810 307-1, SRM-1-4072, 810 307-1Q) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 422-810 307-1-AS-RE-HRM B-2 ⟷ and 422-810 307-1-BS-RE-HRM B- ⟷. 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.
