Vinyl pressings
by The Mission · 1986
III was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MYTH 1 A//2▽420 U 1Side A, stamped runout
MYTH 1 B//1▽420 U 1 1 1Side B, stamped runout
FOR THE PURE IN SPIRIT AND THE TARNISHED FLESHSide A, hand-etched runout
TONY, I THINK YOU SUCK VERY WELLSide B, hand-etched runout
MYTHX 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 U COME HERE BABY S.S.S. LBRunout side A, variant 1
MYTHX 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 U T. (I'M YOUNGER THAN THE GROUP) P.Runout side B, variant 1
MYTHX 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 U COME HERE BABY S.S.S. 1 1 6 [Utopia lyre symbol] LBRunout side A, variant 2
-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷U̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷ MYTHX 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 4 T.(I'M YOUNGER THAN THE GROUP) P. [Utopia lyre symbol]Runout side B, variant 2
MYTH 1 A//2▽420 U [Utopia lyre symbol] 1 FOR THE PURE IN SPIRIT AND THE TARNISHED FLESHRunout side A, variant 1
MYTH 1 B//1▽420 U 1 1 1 TONY, I THINK YOU SUCK VERY WELLRunout side B, variant 1
MYTH 1 A//2▽420 U [Utopia lyre symbol] 1 FOR THE PURE IN SPIRIT AND THE TARNISHED FLESH 4Runout side A, variant 2
MYTH 1 B//2 ▽420 U 11 5 TONY, I THINK YOU SUCK VERY WELLRunout side B, variant 2
MYTH 1 A // 2 ▽ 420 FOR THE PURE IN SPIRIT AND THE TANGLED FLESHRunout Side A,variant 1
MYTH 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 U TONY, I THINK YOU SUCK VERY WELLRunout Side B,variant 1
MYTH 1 A // 2 ▽ 420 U Ω FOR THE PURE IN SPIRIT AND THE TARNISHED FLESH 1 URunout Side A,variant 2
MYTH 1 B // 2 ▽ 420 U TONY, I THINK YOU SUCK VERY WELL 11 8Runout Side B,variant 2
MYTHX 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 U COME HERE BABY S.S.S. LBRunout side A, variant 1
MYTHX 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 U T. (I'M YOUNGER THAN THE GROUP) P.Runout side B, variant 1
MYTHX 1 A // 1 ▽ 420 U [Utopia lyre symbol] LB 11 12 COME HERE BABY S.S.S.Runout side A, variant 2
-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷U̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷-̷⃥̷̶̷⃥̷ MYTHX 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 U 11 1 1 T.(I'M YOUNGER THAN THE GROUP) P. [Utopia lyre symbol]Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Unknown | Mercury 888 039-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 888 039-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 888 039-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Ireland | Mercury MYTH1First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Mercury 888 039-7First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MYDJ1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MYDJX1First year12", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MYTH1First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 888 039-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Mercury 888 039-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MYTHX1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MYSG 1 / Phonogram MYSG 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MYSG 1First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MYTH1 / Mercury MYTH 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MYTHX1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Mercury 88803977", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of III are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, France, Netherlands, Germany and more. One of them is Mercury MYTH1, released October 6, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MYTH1, MYTHX1, MYSG 1, MYDJ1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MYTH 1 A//2▽420 U 1 and MYTH 1 B//1▽420 U 1 1 1. 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.
