Vinyl pressings
by The Mission · 1988
Children was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 18 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.
✳MISH-2-A2✳ 1 MT. FOR HANNAH AND JESSICA... TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
✳MISH-2-B1✳ 1 1 MT TOWNHOUSE ...AND THE CHILD'S FLIGHT OF FANTASYRunout side B, variant 1
✳MISH-2-A2✳ 1 MT. FOR HANNAH AND JESSICA... TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
✳MISH-2-B2✳ TOWNHOUSE ...AND THE CHILDS FLIGHT OF FANTASYRunout side B, variant 2
✳MISH-2-A-1✳ MT. FOR HANNAH AND JESSICA... TOWNHOUSE 1 1Side A runout, variant 1
✳MISH-2-B-1✳ MT. TOWNHOUSE ...AND THE CHILDS FLIGHT OF FANTASY 4 1 2Side B runout, variant 1
✳ MISH·2 A·2✳ MT. FOR HANNAH AND JESSICA... TOWNHOUSE 11 5Side A runout, variant 2
✳ MISH-2-B2 ✳ MT. TOWNHOUSE ...AND THE CHILDS FLIGHT OF FANTASY 1 2Side B runout, variant 2
✳MISH-2 A-1✳ FOR HANNAH AND JESSICA...Side A runout, variant 1
✳MISH-2 B2✳ ...AND THE CHILDS FLIGHT OF FANTASYSide B runout, variant 1
✱MISH-2 A-1✱ TOWNHOUSE MT FOR HANNAH AND JESSICA... 1 1 2 3Side A runout, variant 2
✱MISH-2·B2✱ MT TOWNHOUSE ...AND THE CHILDS FLIGHT OF FANTASY 1 1 6Side B runout, variant 2
422-834-263-1-AS-SP1 1-1Runout side A, variant 1
422-834-263-1-BS-SP1 1-1Runout side B, variant 1
A-1 ᐈ 422-834-263-1-AS-HRM STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
A-1 ᐈ 422-834-263-1-BS-HRM STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
422-834-263-1-AS-SP1 1-1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ [SRC logo]Side 1
422-834-263-1-BS-SP1 1-1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ [SRC logo]Side 2
422-834-263-1-AS-SP1 1-1 STERLING [SRC logo]Side A runout, etched / stamped
422-834-263-1-BS-SP1 1-1 STERLING [SRC logo]Side B runout, etched / stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | PolyGram 29118 / Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Argentina | PolyGram 29118 / Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australasia | Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Mercury 834 263-1 / Mercury 834263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo 834 263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Colombia | Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Ireland | Mercury MISH 2 / Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Mexico | Mercury LPR 19175 / Mercury 843 263-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | Mercury 834 263-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Mercury 574 306-6LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of Children are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1988 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Mercury MISH 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MISH 2, 834 263-1, 422 834 263-1, 25PP-253) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ✳MISH-2-A2✳ 1 MT. FOR HANNAH AND JESSICA... TOWNHOUSE and ✳MISH-2-B1✳ 1 1 MT TOWNHOUSE ...AND THE CHILD'S FLIGHT OF FANTASY. 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.
