Vinyl pressings
by Vitamin Z · 1985
Rites Of Passage was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1985, 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 73 A // 2 ▽ 4̶2̶0̶ 130 [Artisan logo] VITAMIN Z-A-2Side A runout variant 1
MERH 73 B // ▽ 4̶2̶0̶ 130 [Artisan logo] VITAMIN Z-B-2Side B runout variant 1
MERH 73 A // 2 ▽ 4̶2̶0̶ 130 [Artisan logo] VITAMIN Z-A-2Side A runout variant 2
MERH 73 B // 1 ▽ 130 [Artisan logo] VITAMIN Z-B1Side B runout variant 2
GHS-24057-A-SR2 [Artisan logo] [SRC logo] 1-4Side A runout
GHS-24057-B-RE1-SR1 [Artisan logo] [SRC logo] 1-1Side B runout
GHS-24057-A-SH3 [Artisan logo] [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-20954-SH3 SLM △9255 1-1Side A runout
GHS-24057-B-RE1-SH1 [Artisan logo] [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-20955-Re1 SH1 SLM △9255-X 1-1Side B runout
G V 〄Ⓑ 82439311 111✢GSide A runout
G 82439312 111 ✢Side B runout
824 393-1.1Side A label
824 393-1.2Side B label
003 824393 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAMA side runout
003 824393 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAMB side runout
824 393-1 1A side label
824 393-1 2B side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 824 393-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 824 393-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Mercury 824393-1 / Mercury 824393First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Mercury 824393-1 / Mercury 824393LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Italy | Mercury 824 393-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 824 393-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | Mercury 824 393-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | Mercury 824 393-1 / Mercury LP-824 393-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | Mercury STAR5409First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Mercury MERH 73LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24057First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24057First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 28PP-1009First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 28PP-1009First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of Rites Of Passage are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury MERH 73, released November 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERH 73, GHS 24057, 28PP-1009, XGHS 24057) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERH 73 A // 2 ▽ 4̶2̶0̶ 130 [Artisan logo] VITAMIN Z-A-2 and MERH 73 B // ▽ 4̶2̶0̶ 130 [Artisan logo] VITAMIN Z-B-2. 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.
