Vinyl pressings
by The Mission · 1987
V was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
MYTHX-3 ∙ A ∙ 3 I HEAR YOU CALLING FABIENNE.. MT.Runout side A, variant 1
MYTHX-3 ∙ B3 SO....UNTIL THE GODS SMILE UPON US AGAIN .Runout side B, variant 1
MYTHX-3 ∙ A ∙ 3 MT. I HEAR YOU CALLING FABIENNE.. [stamped 1 1 3]Runout side A, variant 2
MYTHX-3 ∙ B3 MT∙ SO....UNTIL THE GODS SMILE UPON US AGAIN . [stamped 5]Runout side B, variant 2
MYTH 3 A 3 MT 11 AND THE LAW HAS BEEN WRITTEN...Side A etched
MYTH 3 B 3 MT 11 FORGET AUSTRALIA LET'S GO TO BAKEWELLSide B etched
MYTH3 888413-7Label Side A & B
MYTH-3 A-3 MT. II AND THE LAW HAS BEEN WRITTEN.... 5Runout Side A etched
MYTH-3.B-3 MT. FORGET AUSTRALIA LET'S GO TO BAKEWELLRunout Side B etched
MYTH3 888413-7Label Side A & B
MYTHX-3 ∙ A ∙ 3 I HEAR YOU CALLING FABIENNE.. MT.Side A runout, variant 1
MYTHX-3 ∙ B3 SO....UNTIL THE GODS SMILE UPON US AGAIN .Side B runout, variant 1
MYTHX-3 ∙ A ∙ 3 I HEAR YOU CALLING FABIENNE.. MT.Side A runout, variant 2
MYTHX-3 ∙ B3 SO....UNTIL THE GODS SMILE UPON US AGAIN . MTSide B runout, variant 2
MYTH-3-A-3 MT. AND THE LAW HAS BEEN WRITTEN...Runout etched side A - variant 1
MYTH-3-B-3 MT. FORGET AUSTRALIA LET'S GO TO BAKEWELL.Runout etched side B - variant 1
MYTH-3-A-3 MT. 1 1 AND THE LAW HAS BEEN WRITTEN...Runout etched side A - variant 2
MYTH-3-B-3 MT. 1 1 FORGET AUSTRALIA LET'S GO TO BAKEWELL.Runout etched side B - variant 2
MYTH-3 A-3 MT. AND THE LAW HAS BEEN WRITTEN . . . . 5Side A runout
MYTH-3 B-3 MT. FORGET AUSTRALIA LET'S GO TO BAKEWELL.Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 413-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 413-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Brazil | Mercury 2801210 / Mercury 2801 210First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 413-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Portugal | Mercury 888 413-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Mercury PRO 507-1 / Mercury PRO 407-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo MIS 1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Box Set · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Box Set · Limited |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 413-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MYTHX 3First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MYTH 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MYTHP 3 / Mercury MYTH 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MYTHX 3 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MYTHL 3 / Mercury MYTHX 3First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MYTH 3 / Phonogram MYTH 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MYTH 3 / Mercury 888 413-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of V are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Mercury MYTHX 3, released March 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MYTHX 3, MYTH 3, MYTHP 3, MYTHL 3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MYTHX-3 ∙ A ∙ 3 I HEAR YOU CALLING FABIENNE.. MT. and MYTHX-3 ∙ B3 SO....UNTIL THE GODS SMILE UPON US AGAIN .. 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.
