Vinyl pressings
by The Sisters Of Mercy · 1985
First And Last And Always was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 8 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.
R / S Alsdorf 2̶4̶0̶3̶1̶6̶-̶1̶ ̶A̶3̶ 240616-1 A 3Runout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 240616-1 B 2Runout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 2̶4̶0̶3̶1̶6̶-̶1̶ ̶A̶3̶ 240616-1 A 3Runout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 240616-1 B 2 UK 1Runout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 240616-1 A3 240616-1 A 3Machine-stamped Runout Side A
R/S Alsdorf 240616-1 B 2Machine-stamped Runout Side B
INKHand-etchings Runout Side A
R/S Alsdorf 240616-1 A7Side 1
R/S Alsdorf 240616-1 B 2 XX 16 D FSide 2
(Stamped) R/S Alsdorf 240616-1 A7Side 1
(Stamped) R/S Alsdorf 240616-1 B2 (etched) XX UKSide 2
[SRC logo] STE 60405-A-1 MASTERDISK HWSide A, runout, variant 1
[SRC logo] STE 60405-B-1 MASTERDISK HWSide B, runout, variant 1
[SRC logo] STE 60405-A-4 MASTERDISK HWSide A, runout, variant 2
[SRC logo] STE 60405-B-1 MASTERDISK HWSide B, runout, variant 2
[SRC logo] STE-60405-A-1 MASTERDISK HW 3 SPAR B-21101 A1 △9444 O-Side A runout
[SRC logo] STE-60405-B-1 MASTERDISK HW 1-1 SM 1-1 SPAR O- △9444-X B-21102-B1Side B runout
ST-E-60405-1-ASide A label
ST-E-60405-1-BSide B label
[SRC logo] STE-60405-A-4 MASTERDISK HWSide A, runout
[SRC logo] STE-60405-B-1 MASTERDISK HWSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | WEA 24 06161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | WEA 24 06161First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1985 | Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / Merciful Release 240 616-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / Merciful Release 240 616-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Merciful Release 24 0616-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | WEA 240616-1 / WEA L 24 0616-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Merciful Release MR 337 LFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR 337 L / WEA 240616-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / Merciful Release 240 616-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / WEA 240 616-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 9 60405-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60405LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | Elektra ST-E-60405-1 / Elektra 60405-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra ST-E-60405-1 / Elektra 60405-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60405LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Europe | EastWest 9031-77379-1 / Merciful Release MR571 LLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1994 | Greece | EMI WEA 616-1 P / WEA WEA 616-1 PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1994 | Greece | EMI WEA 616-1 P / WEA WEA 616-1 PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1994 | Greece | EMI WEA 616-1 P / WEA WEA 616-1 PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1994 | Greece | EMI WEA 616-1 P / WEA WEA 616-1 PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1994 | UK | EMI WEA 616-1 P / WEA WEA 616-1 PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1994 | UK | EMI WEA 616-1 P / WEA WEA 616-1 PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1994 | UK | EMI WEA 616-1 PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| 1999 | Italy | Merciful Release 4P-240616-1LP, Album, Picture Disc, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MOFI 1-006LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2011 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MOFI 1-006LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2015 | UK | Warner Music Group 0825646284047 / Merciful Release 0825646284047LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | UK | Warner Music Group 0825646284047 / Merciful Release 0825646284047Box Set, Compilation, LP, Album, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, EP | Box Set, Compilation, LP, Album, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 2018 | Europe | Merciful Release MR 377LLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Merciful Release MR 377LLP, Album, Limited Edition, Misprint, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Misprint, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / Merciful Release 240-616 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2025 | Europe | Warner Music Group 5021732634474 / Elektra 5021732634474Box Set, Compilation, LP, Album, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl | Box Set, Compilation, LP, Album, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | UK & Europe | Warner Music Group 5021732634481 / Elektra 5021732634481LP, Album, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | UK, Europe & US | Warner Music Group 5021732982216 / Elektra 5021732982216LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Merciful Release 610.7059 / WEA 610.7059LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / Merciful Release 240 616-1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / WEA 240 616-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / EastWest 240 616-1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / EastWest 240 616-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / Merciful Release 240 616-1LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / Merciful Release 240 616-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR 337L / Merciful Release 240 616-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
50 vinyl pressings of First And Last And Always are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1985 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK & Europe, US, UK, Japan and more. One of them is Merciful Release MR 337L, released March 11, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MR 337L, ST-E-60405-1, 9 60405-1, MR 337 L) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 2̶4̶0̶3̶1̶6̶-̶1̶ ̶A̶3̶ 240616-1 A 3 and R / S Alsdorf 240616-1 B 2. 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.
