Vinyl pressings
by The Teardrop Explodes · 1980
When I Dream was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
TEAR 001 A//1▽E P 1 0Side A, Stamped, variant 1
TEAR 001 B//1▽E P 1 1Side B, Stamped, variant 1
TEAR001 A//1▽E P 1 1 2Runout A stamped, variant 2
TEAR 001 B//1▽E P 1 1 5Runout B stamped, variant 2
TEAR+001+A2 ORRunout, etched, side A
TEAR+001+B2 ORRunout, etched, side B
TEAR + 001 + A₂ ORSide A runout, etched
TEAR + 001 + B₂ ORSide B runout, etched
TEAR 001 A//1▽E P 1 0Side A, Stamped
TEAR 001 B//1▽E P 1 1Side B, Stamped
MASTERDISK HW MK-172-A-PRC-C-1-1-1Runout Side A
MASTERDISK HW MK-172-BS-PRC-C-1-1-1Runout Side B
MK-172-ASLabel Side A
MK-172-BSLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Mercury 6059 323First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Mercury 6059 323First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Mercury 6059 323First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Mercury TEAR 001First year7", Single, White Label | 7", Single, White Label |
| 1980 | UK | Mercury TEAR 1 / Mercury 6059 323First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Mercury MK 172First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Ireland | Mercury TEAR 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Mercury TEAR 1 / Mercury tear 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Mercury TEAR 1 / Mercury tear 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Mercury 6059 323 / Zoo Records 6059 3237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of When I Dream are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury TEAR 1, released September 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TEAR 1, TEAR 001, MK 172, 6059 323) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TEAR 001 A//1▽E P 1 0 and TEAR 001 B//1▽E P 1 1. 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.
