Vinyl pressings
by The Sisters Of Mercy · 1982
Alice was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year. 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.
MR 015 A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT. FOR SPIGGY - FLASH THAT ASH. MPORunout etchings, side A
MR 015 AA1 A PORKY PRIME CUT KENNY GILES WALKS ON WATER. MPORunout etchings, side AA
MR 015 ALabel, side A
MR 015 AALabel, side AA
MR 015 A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT FOR SPIGGY - FLASH THAT ASH MPORunout Etchings Side A
MR 015 AA1 A PORKY PRIME CUT KENNY GILES WALKS ON WATER MPORunout Etchings Side AA
MR 015 ALabel, side A
MR 015 AALabel, side AA
MR 015 A¹ A PORKY PRIME CUT. FOR SPIGGY - FLASH THAT ASH. MPORunout etchings, side A
MR 015 AA¹ A PORKY PRIME CUT KENNY GILES WALKS ON WATER. MPORunout etchings, side AA
MR 015 ALabel, side A
MR 015 AALabel, side AA
MR 015 A¹ A PORKY PRIME CUT. FOR SPIGGY - FLASH THAT ASH. MPORunout Etchings Side A
MR 015 AA¹ A PORKY PRIME CUT KENNY GILES WALKS ON WATER. MPORunout Etchings Side AA
MR 015 A¹ A PORKY PRIME CUT. FOR SPIGGY - FLASH THAT ASH. MPORunout Etchings Side A
MR 015 AA¹ A PORKY PRIME CUT KENNY GILES WALKS ON WATER. MPORunout Etchings Side AA
MR 015 A¹ A PORKY PRIME CUT. FOR SPIGGY - FLASH THAT ASH. MPORunout Etchings Side A
MR 015 AA¹ A PORKY PRIME CUT KENNY GILES WALKS ON WATER. MPORunout Etchings Side AA
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Merciful Release MR 015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Merciful Release MR 015First year7", Single, Misprint | 7", Single, Misprint |
| 1982 | UK | Merciful Release MR 015First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Merciful Release MR 015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Merciful Release MR 015First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | UK | Merciful Release MR 015First year7", Single, Misprint | 7", Single, Misprint |
| 1983 | UK | Merciful Release MR 02112", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Merciful Release MR 02112", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1983 | US | Merciful Release MR 021 / Merciful Release MR02112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Merciful Release MR 02112", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Merciful Release MR 02112", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Merciful Release MR02112", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR 02112", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Australia | Merciful Release MR 0157", Single, 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 4709Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 4709Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 4709Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
17 vinyl pressings of Alice are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1982 and 2009.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK. One of them is Merciful Release MR 015, released November 15, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MR 015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MR 015 A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT. FOR SPIGGY - FLASH THAT ASH. MPO and MR 015 AA1 A PORKY PRIME CUT KENNY GILES WALKS ON WATER. MPO. 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.
