UK
June 1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury MERX 223Mercury 884 841-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
MERX 223 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1Runout stamped side A
MERX 223 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1Runout stamped side B
Van MorrisonIvory Tower
Vinyl pressings
Ivory Tower
by Van Morrison · 1986
10 pressings6 countriesFolk RockRock
Ivory Tower was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Ivory Tower
10 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
UK
1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury MER 223
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
MER 223 A // 2 ▼ 420 H 1 1Runout stamped side A
MER 223 B // 1 ▼ 420 H 1 5Runout stamped side B
US
1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 884 841-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
884-841-7-2-58794-SRI 1-1 SRC MASTERDISKRunout side A
884-841-7-2-58086-SRI 1-1 SRC MASTERDISKRunout side B
2-58794Label side A
2-58086Label side B
US
1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury PRO 429-1
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo
- Runout / matrix
PRO-429-1-2-58794 MASTERDISK EmwRunout etched, "MASTERDISK" stamped, "Emw" etched in cursive and father from the center
US
1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 884 841-7 DJ
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo
Australia
1986- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 884 841-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
MX-66707A-Side Label
MX-66708B-Side Label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 10 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Mercury 884 841-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury DJM 195First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury DJ 90First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Ireland | Mercury MER 223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Mercury 884 841-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MER 223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Mercury PRO 429-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Mercury 884 841-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Mercury 884 841-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MERX 223 / Mercury 884 841-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- AIvory Tower
- BNew Kind Of Man
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Ivory Tower are there?
10 vinyl pressings of Ivory Tower are listed here, from 6 countries.
When was Ivory Tower first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is Mercury MERX 223, released June 1986.
How do I tell if my copy of Ivory Tower is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERX 223, MER 223, 884 841-7, PRO 429-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERX 223 A // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 and MERX 223 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Ivory Tower on vinyl worth?
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.
