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Data as of Oct 20, 2026
Jerry Butler – The Ice Man Cometh
1968 · US · Mercury · Vinyl LP Album Stereo
Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Oct 20, 2026
- MMint
- $38.55
- NMNear Mint
- $34.49
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $26.37
- VGVery Good
- $18.26
- G+Good Plus
- $10.14
- GGood
- $6.09
- FFair
- $4.06
- PPoor
- $2.03
47 copies listed on Discogs from $2.49.
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers · 1
- $30ref VA-GG4M4Media NM · Near MintSleeve P🇺🇸 Ships from United States
The Discogs price estimate is a separate reference; offer prices above are sellers’ own.
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- SR 61198-A-M2 III-II MR
- Runout — side B
- SR 61198-B-M2 I-III MR
- Rights society
- BMI
- Pressing Plant ID
- MR(Both sides runout)
- Record Company
- Mercury Record Corporation
- Manufactured By
- Mercury Record Productions, Inc.
- Recorded At
- Sigma Sound Studios
- Pressed By
- Mercury Record Manufacturing Company
Specifications
- Artist
- Jerry Butler
- Genre
- Funk / Soul
- Style
- Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Ballad
- Year
- 1968
- Label
- Mercury
- Catalog number
- SR 61198
- Country
- US
Tracklist
- A1Hey Western Union Man2:37
- A2Can't Forget About You Baby2:36
- A3Only The Strong Survive2:35
- A4How Can I Get In Touch With You2:26
- A5Just Because I Really Love You2:37
- A6Lost2:35
- B1Never Give You Up2:56
- B2Are You Happy2:40
- B3(Strange) I Still Love You2:50
- B4Go Away - Find Yourself2:52
- B5I Stop By Heaven3:20
- Producer
- Gamble & Huff
- Engineer
- Joe Tarsia
- Photography By [Cover And Insert]
- Jay Thompson
About this record
Mercury Record Productions, Inc. pressed this 1968 Jerry Butler soul album under catalogue SR 61198, stamping the dead wax with matrix codes SR 61198-A-M2 III-II MR and SR 61198-B-M2 I-III MR to mark the original US first edition. Three tracks—A1, A2, and B1—were electronically re-recorded to simulate stereo, a limitation flagged on both the label and rear cover.
The original release shipped with a 10" 5/8" x 11" color photo insert bearing Butler's signature, a detail that now separates intact copies from stripped stock.
What drives its value
The Ice Man Cometh commands a steep condition curve: a Mint copy fetches 38.55 USD, while a NM example drops to 34.49 USD, and VG+ falls to 26.37 USD—the gap between Mint and VG+ reflects how heavily collectors prize unplayed or near-unplayed pressings of this soul release. At VG the price slides to 18.26 USD, and a G+ copy trades at 10.14 USD.
Currently 47 copies are listed for sale, with a floor price of 2.49 USD for heavily played stock. Community demand is robust: 370 collectors want the record against 723 who own one, a ratio that sustains mid-grade pricing.
The original Mercury pressing commands more than reissues because the electronically re-recorded stereo tracks and the photo insert remain exclusive to this 1968 first edition.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the Mercury label imprint and catalogue number SR 61198 on both sides. The A-side matrix reads SR 61198-A-M2 III-II MR and the B-side SR 61198-B-M2 I-III MR; both runouts include the MR plant code identifying Mercury Record Productions, Inc. or Mercury Record Manufacturing Company as the manufacturer.
Check the label text for the phrase "Electronically Re-Recorded To Simulate Stereo" printed beneath the track listings on side A (tracks A1 and A2) and side B (track B1)—this notation is definitive to the original 1968 pressing and absent from later reissues. Verify the presence of the original color photo insert measuring 10" 5/8" x 11" with Jerry Butler's signature; its absence downgrades value significantly.
Grade by examining the vinyl surface under light for hairline scratches, the paper label for foxing or marker, and the jacket for seam splits or ring wear.
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
1968 US Mercury Record 1st label edition. Originally released with an 10" 5/8" x 11" color photo insert of Jerry Butler with his signature. The MR etched within the matrices indicate this to had been pressed at the: .
"Electronically Re-Recorded To Simulate Stereo" (Tracks A1,A2 and B1) on labels and rear cover. is wrongly reported as "Sitma Sound Studio - Phila"
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Frequently asked
What is the price range for this Mercury pressing in different conditions?
A Mint copy is valued at 38.55 USD, NM at 34.49 USD, VG+ at 26.37 USD, VG at 18.26 USD, G+ at 10.14 USD, and G at 6.09 USD according to the price guide. These are estimates as of the guide's publication date; actual sales vary with the presence of the original photo insert and label condition.
How do I identify the correct pressing plant on this record?
Look at the dead wax etched into the vinyl at the end of each side. The A-side matrix is SR 61198-A-M2 III-II MR and the B-side is SR 61198-B-M2 I-III MR. The MR suffix indicates Mercury Record Productions, Inc. or Mercury Record Manufacturing Company as the pressing plant.
What makes the original 1968 Mercury pressing different from reissues?
The label explicitly states "Electronically Re-Recorded To Simulate Stereo" for tracks A1, A2, and B1—a limitation unique to this first edition and printed on both the label and rear cover. The original also shipped with a 10" 5/8" x 11" color photo insert signed by Jerry Butler, a collectible component absent from later pressings.
How many copies are currently on the market, and what is the lowest asking price?
47 copies are listed for sale across platforms, with the lowest asking price at 2.49 USD for heavily played stock. Mid-grade VG+ copies typically ask 26.37 USD, reflecting the condition-driven pricing of this soul release.
Is there strong collector demand for this album?
Yes: 370 collectors want the record while 723 own one, indicating sustained interest in the original Mercury pressing. The community rating stands at 4.54 out of 5 based on 28 ratings, suggesting consistent satisfaction among owners of this 1968 soul album.