Vinyl pressings
by Van Morrison · 1987
Poetic Champions Compose 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.
15 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 11 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.
MERH 110 A 2▽ 420HSide A, stamped, variant 1
MERH 110 B 1▽̶2̶0̶ ▽420 HSide B, stamped, variant 1
MERH 110 A//1▽420HSide A, stamped, variant 2
MERH 110 B//1420▽420HSide B, stamped, variant 2 (first 420 scratched out)
MERH 110 A//1▽420H TownhouseSide A, stamped / etched
MERH 110 B//14̶2̶0̶▽420H TownhouseSide B, stamped / etched
422-832-585-1-AS-SP 1-1 MASTERDISK HW [SRC logo]Runout A
422-832-585-1-BS-SP MASTERDISK 1-2 [SRC logo]Runout B
422-832-585-1-AS-HRM A-2 ᐉ MASTERDISKSide A runout
422-832-585-1-BS-HRM MASTERDISK A-2 ᐉSide B runout
422.832 585 . I-AS . SP MASTERDISKSide A runout (variant 1)
422.832.585 - I . BS . SP MASTERDISKSide B runout (variant 1)
422⋅ 832 585⋅ 1-AS- SP 1-1 MASTERDISK HW [SRC logo]Side A runout etched, exc. MASTERDISK, [SRC logo] stamped (variant 2)
422 ⋅ 832⋅ 585- 1 ⋅ BS ⋅ SP MASTERDISK 1-2 [SRC logo]Side B runout etched, exc. MASTERDISK, [SRC logo] stamped (variant 2)
MX213980Side A Label
MX213981Side B Label
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 | Australasia | Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Mercury 832585-1 / Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | Mercury MERH 110 / Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | Mercury 832585-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Portugal | Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MERH 110 / Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Advance, Album | LP, Advance, Album |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 422 832 585-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 832 585-1 Q-1 / Mercury 422 832 585-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury MERH 110 / Mercury 832 585-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 832 585-1 Q-1 / Mercury 422 832 585-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Poetic Champions Compose are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury MERH 110, released September 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERH 110, 832 585-1 Q-1, 422 832 585-1 Q-1, 832 585-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERH 110 A 2▽ 420H and MERH 110 B 1▽̶2̶0̶ ▽420 H. 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.
