Vinyl pressings
by Van Morrison · 1983
Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, the album's first year, in 15 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.
MERL 16 A//1∇ 420 R ARUNA-side runout, variant 1
MERL 16 B//2∇ 420 RB-side runout, variant 1
MERL 16 A//1∇ 420 R ARUNA-side runout, variant 2
MERL 16 B//1∇ 420 RB-side runout, variant 2
MERL 16 A//1∇ 420 R 11 4 ARUNA-side runout, variant 1
MERL 16 B//1∇ 420 R 1 2B-side runout, variant 1
Side 1: 1-23802-A-JW1
Side 2: 1-23802-B-JW3
1-23802-A-WW2 #3 ─◁ JS-KENDUNSide A runout, variant 1
1•23802•B•WW1 #2 JS•KENDUN ─◁Side B runout, variant 1
1-23802-A-WW1 #2 JS-KENDUN ─◁Side A runout, variant 2
1•23802•B•WW1 #2 JS•KENDUN ─◁Side B runout, variant 2
1.23802.A.SR2 JS KENDUN 1-1Side A runout etched
1.23802.B.SR2 JS KENDUN 1-2Side B runout etched
SRC [logo]Both sides runout stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 38021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Mercury 811 140-1 / Mercury 811140-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Israel | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-86First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | Mercury STAR 5310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Mercury 811 140-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Mercury 811 140-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Warner Bros. Records R1 23802LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Mercury 811 140-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 839 604-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1983 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury MERL 16.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERL 16, 1-238026, 1-23802, 9 23802-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERL 16 A//1∇ 420 R ARUN and MERL 16 B//2∇ 420 R. 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.
