Vinyl pressings
by The Sisters Of Mercy · 1987
Floodland 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.
22 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
R/S Alsdorf 242232-1-ARunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 242232-1-BRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 242232-1-A UKRunout side A, variant 2, stamped, "UK" etched
R/S Alsdorf 242232-1-B x 2Runout side B, variant 2, stamped, "x 2" etched
✴ MR-441L A-1 ✴ MT. 1 DAMONT DSide A runout, etched
✴ MR-441L B-1 ✴ 2 MT DAMONT CSide B runout, etched
ST-E-60762A-1 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. SRCSide A runout
ST-E-60762B-1 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. SRCSide B runout
E A S TSide B, embossed around center hole
ST-E-60762A-1 1-2 B-29946 △19125 o- ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. SP-AR [SRC logo]Side A runout
ST-E-60762B-1 [SRC logo] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. 1-2 SP-AR B-29947 △19125-X O-Side B runout
R/S Alsdorf 242232-1- AStamped side A
R/S Alsdorf 242232-1-B xxxStamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | WEA 80707First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Argentina | WEA 80707First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Argentina | WEA 80707 / WEA 2422321First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | Merciful Release 242232-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | WEA 24 22321First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | WEA 24 22321First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Merciful Release MR441L / Merciful Release 242 232-1First yearLP, Advance, Album | LP, Advance, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Merciful Release MR441L / WEA 242232-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Merciful Release MR441L / WEA 242232-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Ireland | Merciful Release MR441L / Merciful Release 242232-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Merciful Release 242232-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Merciful Release MR441LFirst yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1987 | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR441L / Merciful Release 242232-1First yearLP, Advance, Album | LP, Advance, Album |
| 1987 | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR441LFirst yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1987 | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR441LFirst yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MOFI 1-021LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2013 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MOFI 1-021LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2013 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MOFI 1-021LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2015 | Europe | Warner Music Group 0825646077038 / 1 / Merciful Release 0825646077038 / 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2015 | UK & Europe | Warner Music Group 0825646077038 / 1 / Merciful Release 0825646077038 / 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2015 | Europe | Warner Music Group 0825646077038 / Merciful Release 0825646077038LP, Album, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, 12", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Box Set, Compilation |
| 2018 | Unknown | Rhino Records 0825646077014LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK | Warner Music Group 5021732346193 / Merciful Release MR441LLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR441L / Merciful Release 242 232-1LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | UK & Europe | Merciful Release MR441L / Merciful Release 242 232-1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
39 vinyl pressings of Floodland are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1987 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, UK, US, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Merciful Release MR441L, released November 13, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MR441L, 60762-1, UK MR441L, 80707) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 242232-1-A and R/S Alsdorf 242232-1-B. 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.
