Vinyl pressings
by The Robert Cray Band · 1988
Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark 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.
21 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 12 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.
422834723-1-A A-1 l>Side A runout, variant 1
422834723-1-B A-1 l>Side B runout, variant 1
422834923-1-A A-2 ᐉSide A runout, variant 2
422834923-1-B A-1 ᐉSide B runout, variant 2
422834923-1-A-SP SRC 1-1Runout A etched / SRC stamped
422834923-1-B-SP SRC 1-1Runout B etched / SRC stamped
422834923-1-A -EMW-Runout A etched
422834923-1-B -EMW-Runout B etched
SRC 422834923-1-A-SP 1-1Side A runout
SRC 422834923-1-B-SP 1-1Side B runout
MERH 129 A-3U-1-1 DBTapeoneSide A Runout - stamped/etched - Variant 1
MERH 129 B-1U-1-1 DBTapeoneSide B Runout - stamped/etched - Variant 1
MERH 129 A-2U-1-1 DBTapeoneSide A Runout - stamped/etched - Variant 2
MERH 129 B-1U-1-1 DBTapeoneSide B Runout - stamped/etched - Variant 2
MERH 129 A-3U-1-1Stamped Side A
MERH 129 B-2U-1-1Stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Mercury 834 923-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australasia | Mercury 834 923-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 834 923-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Mercury 834 923-1 / Hightone Records 834 923-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury 834 923-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury R 100471 / Mercury 834 933-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury 834 923-1 / Hightone Records 834 923-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 834 923-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 834 923-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 834 923-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Mercury 834 923-1 / Mercury 834923-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Mercury 834 923-1 / Polygram 834 923-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-257First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | South Africa | Mercury STARL 5517First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Mercury 834 923-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Mercury 422 834 923-1, released August 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 422 834 923-1, MERH 129, 25PP-257, 834 923-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 422834723-1-A A-1 l> and 422834723-1-B A-1 l>. 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.
