Vinyl pressings
by Thompson Twins · 1984
Sister Of Mercy was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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.
TWINSD 6 A-1 ORLAKESide A (Variant 1)
TWINSD 6 B-1 ORLAKESide B (Variant 1)
TWISD-5-A-1 ORLAKESide A (Variant 2), etched
TWISD-5-B-1 ORLAKESide B (Variant 2), etched
TWINS 5 A//1▽420 R 11 ARUNSide A runout, stamped, etched (Variant 1)
TWINS 5 B//1▽420 T 11 10 JASide B runout, stamped, etched (Variant 1)
TWINS 5 A//1▽420 R 11 13 ARUNSide A runout, stamped, etched (Variant 2)
TWINS 5 B//2▽420 T 1 1 4 JASide B runout, stamped, etched (Variant 2)
TWINS 125 A//2∇420R 1 1 1 ARUNRunout side A, stamped, "ARUN" etched, variant 1
TWINS 125 B//2∇420T 1 1 5 JARunout side B, stamped, "JA" etched, variant 1
TWINS 125 A//2∇420 R 1 1 6 ARUNRunout side A, stamped, "ARUN" etched, variant 2
TWINS 125 B//1∇420 T 1 1 3 JARunout side B, stamped, "JA" etched, variant 2
TWINS 5 A//2 ∇ 420 R 1 1 5 ARUNA-side runout [machine stamped, "ARUN" hand-etched]
TWINS 5 B//1 ∇ 420 T 1 2 6 JAB-side runout [machine stamped, "JA" hand-etched]
TWINS 125 A//1∇420R 1 1 1 2Side A - machine stamped
ARUNSide A - etched
TWINS 125 B//2∇420T 1 1 1Side B - machine stamped
JASide B - etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Arista K-9471First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Ireland | Arista TWINS 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | Arista 7RS-103First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | Arista 15RS-28First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Arista ARI 12-8395First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 8395First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 12-8395First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | Arista F-601.232 / Arista F-601232First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | Arista A-106.671 / Ariola Eurodisc S.A. A-106.671First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Arista TWISD 5First year5", 33 ⅓ RPM, Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 5", 33 ⅓ RPM, Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Arista TWINS 125First year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Partially Mixed, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Partially Mixed, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | Arista TWISD 5First year5", 33 ⅓ RPM, Picture Disc, Shape, Single · Picture disc | 5", 33 ⅓ RPM, Picture Disc, Shape, Single · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Arista TWINS 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Arista TWINS 125First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Partially Mixed | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Partially Mixed |
| 1984 | UK | Arista TWINS 5First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
19 vinyl pressings of Sister Of Mercy are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Japan, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is Arista TWISD 5, released June 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TWISD 5, TWINS 5, TWINS 125, 15RS-28) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TWINSD 6 A-1 ORLAKE and TWINSD 6 B-1 ORLAKE. 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.
